Nyesom Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has publicly offered a N10 million reward to each of the 62 elected councillors across the six area councils. This incentive is contingent on their ability to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) within their respective wards during the 2027 general election.
The announcement was made by Wike on Monday during an interactive session held with various stakeholders from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) operating under the banner of the Rainbow Coalition in the Kwali Area Council.
Attendees at this pivotal meeting included all 62 elected councillors, the six area council chairmen, traditional rulers, and numerous other key stakeholders from the region.
The minister impressed upon the councillors the gravity of the upcoming election, framing it as a significant responsibility. He articulated that the proposed financial reward is intended to serve as both an incentive and a mechanism to foster healthy competition among them, thereby encouraging greater commitment to the party's success.
Wike further revealed that the Rainbow Coalition has collectively resolved to mobilise comprehensive support for President Tinubu's re-election campaign across Nigeria. He explicitly stated, "So for the councillors, you have a task. I will hold a meeting with you again. I will not say the way I am going to mobilise you but I will give you a bet like what is happening in some states, which is like competition. Anybody who delivers his ward, if you deliver your ward. That is what rainbow coalition has decided to do. The rainbow coalition across the federation are mobilizing a form of support for Mr President to win this election, we are saying that any councillor that delivers his ward, go and take N10 million."
He continued by clarifying the purpose of the initiative: "So we want to mobilise for Mr President and that is our support for Mr President. So go to your wards, go and see your leaders. I know many cannot do it but we are using you as instrumentality to your leaders. Go and meet your leaders, go and meet the youths, tell them there is something that has come, we must not allow this thing to go, let us deliver our ward to Mr President."
In addition to the promise made to councillors, Wike also committed to financially support women's groups across the various area councils. This assistance aims to encourage a high turnout of female voters to cast their ballots for Tinubu.
The minister also reassured the councillors that he would arrange a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Administration to review their current salary structure, hinting at potential improvements.
Furthermore, Wike implored traditional rulers, community leaders, and other influential stakeholders to actively mobilise local residents to vote for the APC senatorial candidate, Senator Philip Aduda, and the party's House of Representatives candidate for Abuja South, Danladi Chiya. He underscored the importance of working diligently to secure victories for these party candidates in the FCT during the 2027 elections.
Regarding traditional institutions, Wike reiterated the administration's respect for their pivotal role in society. He pledged that recently upgraded traditional rulers would soon receive their official certificates and designated sports utility vehicles.
On infrastructure development, the minister promised that the stalled Kwaita-Yebu road project would be re-awarded to a more competent contractor. He concluded by assuring that several ongoing projects within the territory are slated for commissioning before the close of December 2026.
Earlier in the session, Nuhu Daniel Kwali, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, expressed gratitude to Minister Wike. He commended the minister for the significant infrastructural advancements, particularly in rural roads across the council, which he noted had greatly benefited residents. Kwali assured the minister that the people of Kwali were fully prepared to reciprocate this support by backing President Tinubu's re-election, as well as the APC candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives in the 2027 elections.