‘It’s Not Vote Buying’: APC Chairman Defends Wike’s N10m Reward

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the N10 million reward promised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to councillors who secure victory for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in their wards during the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda dismissed suggestions that the offer amounted to vote buying, insisting that the money was a post-election reward designed to motivate councillors to deliver their respective wards for the ruling party.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the APC chairman said the promise was directed at about 60 councillors in the FCT and would only be fulfilled after the elections and the emergence of declared winners.

“He was speaking to the FCT councillors in the forum, and I’m sure it’s addressing something about 62 or 60-something councillors in the FCT,” he said.

When asked whether the financial incentive amounted to voter inducement, Yilwatda argued that political parties routinely provide funds for mobilisation and other campaign activities.

“Which political party doesn’t release money for mobilisation? Which political party? So, tell me one. No, it’s not for votes. The same reward for you to deliver Tinubu in your ward,” he said.

He further defended the timing of the proposed payment, arguing that it would be made only after the electoral process had been concluded and the results established.

According to him, the arrangement was similar to rewarding individuals for achieving set targets, adding that the councillors would not receive the money before the polls.

“The money is not given before the election. It doesn’t matter? No, it matters. It matters because if the money is given after the election has been concluded and the winner has been declared and there’s nothing at stake again—if the court has proven and all the legal rules have been followed—that you legally deliver your ward by giving you N10 million,” he said.

Pressed further on whether he considered Wike’s promise to be vote buying, Yilwatda maintained his position, responding: “Never.”

Wike had announced the N10 million incentive during a political meeting in Kwali Area Council, promising to reward each councillor who delivers their ward for Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, the APC chairman declined to speculate on whether the party would support the re-election of Senate President Godswill Akpabio if he secures another term in the Senate.

Yilwatda said the choice of the next Senate President would be determined by senators themselves rather than the party leadership.

“Let’s wait for the election first. I don’t have anybody in mind. The Senate will determine who they want to make the Senate President,” he said.

On concerns over electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, the APC chairman expressed sympathy for victims of political attacks but insisted that his party supported peaceful, free and fair elections.

“If anybody is injured by anybody across the country, I’m sure it shouldn’t be by APC supporters. I pity anybody who is being injured, and I sympathise with them. Our party stands for free and fair elections,” he said.