The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended his commitment to offer ₦10 million to councillors who successfully mobilize voters and secure electoral victories for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Wike emphasized that this proposed financial incentive should not be perceived as an attempt at vote-buying.
Speaking during an inspection of infrastructure projects in the FCT, the minister dismissed the criticisms surrounding his pledge, asserting that it is intended to motivate grassroots political actors and enhance political engagement, rather than influence voter choices directly.
Wike clarified the distinction between rewarding councillors for achieving electoral goals and directly paying voters to sway their decisions at the polls. He reportedly stated, “I didn’t tell them, ‘Take this money and go and buy votes.’ I said, ‘Go and work. Show commitment. Demonstrate that you really mean what you are talking about. When you win, come and we are going to reward you.’”
According to Wike, the financial rewards are designed as performance-based incentives that recognize councillors who undertake the responsibility of driving electoral support in their areas. He acknowledged that successful political mobilization often requires considerable time, dedication, and resources, and that those who exert significant effort in this regard deserve recognition.
Drawing a parallel to athletic incentives, Wike explained that just as governments reward athletes for exceptional achievements in international sports, similar recognition in politics should not be automatically misconstrued as unethical. He argued that distinction between incentivizing political workers and inducing voters should be better understood.
Wike also criticized media interpretations of his statements, calling on journalists to carefully consider the context of financial incentives in political campaigns rather than hastily associating them with vote-buying. He urged the media to scrutinize the rationale behind such incentives within the broader framework of political organization and mobilization.
