The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the ₦10 million reward promised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to councillors who deliver their wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Yilwatda said the proposed payment was meant to motivate political mobilisation and would not amount to vote buying because it would be made after the elections.
He made the clarification on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
The APC chairman said the offer was directed at about 60 councillors in the FCT and was intended to reward their political performance.
“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.
Rejecting suggestions that the promise amounted to voter inducement, Yilwatda asked, “Which political party doesn’t release money for mobilisation?
“Which political party?
“So, tell me one.”
He argued that the timing of the proposed payment was important, insisting that money given after the election and the conclusion of legal proceedings could not influence how people voted.
“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,” he said.
Asked directly whether he considered Wike’s promise vote buying, Yilwatda replied, “Never.”
Wike had announced the ₦10 million reward at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council on Monday, urging councillors to mobilise residents, youth groups and community associations for Tinubu and APC candidates.
He said, “Any councillor that delivers his ward will get ₦10 million reward.”
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