The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike over his controversial promise to pay ₦10 million to councillors who successfully deliver their respective wards for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda dismissed allegations that the proposed financial incentive amounted to vote buying, arguing that the money was intended to reward political mobilisation and performance rather than influence voters during the electoral process.

The APC chairman made the clarification on Monday, November 9, while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he discussed Wike’s promise and the political implications of the proposed reward ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike had announced that councillors who secured victory for Tinubu in their respective wards would receive ₦10 million each, a declaration that generated criticism and raised questions about the legality and ethical implications of offering substantial financial rewards linked to electoral outcomes.

The FCT minister reportedly made the promise during a political mobilisation meeting in Kwali Area Council, where he urged grassroots political leaders to work towards securing victory for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

Reacting to the controversy, Yilwatda maintained that the arrangement should not be interpreted as an attempt to purchase votes, particularly because the promised payments would be made after the elections and the conclusion of any related legal disputes.

He explained that Wike’s proposal was directed at approximately 60 councillors in the FCT, describing it as an incentive for political workers to demonstrate commitment and deliver measurable results for the ruling party.

“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,” Yilwatda said.

APC Chairman Explains Why Wike’s ₦10 Million Offer Is Not Vote Buying

The APC national chairman argued that political parties routinely provide financial resources for mobilisation and other campaign activities, questioning why Wike’s proposed reward should automatically be classified as vote buying.

According to him, there is an important distinction between financing political mobilisation and giving money directly to voters to influence their choices during an election.

Yilwatda insisted that Wike did not instruct councillors to distribute the promised money to voters in exchange for their support for Tinubu.

“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 argued that the timing of the proposed payment was central to determining whether the arrangement could constitute electoral inducement.

According to the APC chairman, the money would only be released after the elections had been concluded, the winners declared and all relevant legal processes completed.

He maintained that paying political mobilisers after the electoral process would be fundamentally different from distributing money before voting to influence the decisions of eligible voters.

“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,” Yilwatda explained.

When pressed to state whether he considered Wike’s promise an act of vote buying, the APC chairman firmly rejected the allegation.

“Never,” he responded.

His defence has added another dimension to the debate surrounding the use of financial incentives in political mobilisation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Wike Promises ₦10 Million to Councillors Who Deliver Their Wards for Tinubu

Wike’s financial promise was made during a political gathering in Kwali Area Council as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots support for Tinubu and the APC ahead of the next general elections.

The FCT minister challenged councillors to demonstrate their political influence by ensuring that their respective wards deliver electoral victories for the president and other party candidates.

He promised: “Any councillor that delivers his ward will get ₦10 million reward.”

The announcement generated considerable public interest because of the size of the proposed payment and its direct connection to the electoral performance of individual political wards.

The FCT has six area councils, with elected councillors playing important roles in grassroots political organisation, community engagement and mobilisation.

Wike’s proposal is therefore expected to increase political activity at the local government level as the ruling party begins strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, critics may question whether financial rewards tied directly to electoral outcomes could create incentives for political actors to prioritise winning results over the integrity of the democratic process.

The controversy also raises broader questions about the distinction between legitimate campaign mobilisation, performance-based political rewards and practices that could undermine electoral fairness.

Yilwatda Says Senate Will Decide Akpabio’s Future as Senate President

During the television interview, Yilwatda also addressed questions concerning the future leadership of the Nigerian Senate, particularly whether the APC would support the return of Senate President Godswill Akpabio if he secures re-election in the 2027 general elections.

The APC chairman declined to endorse any particular candidate for the position, maintaining that the decision would ultimately rest with senators.

He explained that the party leadership was not in a position to predetermine who would emerge as the next Senate President before the elections.

“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.

His comments suggest that the APC leadership intends to allow elected senators to determine the leadership of the upper legislative chamber following the 2027 elections.

The position of Senate President remains one of Nigeria’s most influential political offices, with considerable implications for legislative priorities, government policies and relations between the executive and legislature.

APC Chairman Reacts to Political Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections

Yilwatda also expressed concern over reports of political violence and attacks on individuals across the country as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC chairman said he sympathised with people who had suffered injuries during political confrontations, while insisting that the ruling party supported peaceful and credible elections.

He stated: “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.”

His remarks came amid increasing political discussions about security, party mobilisation and the conduct of the next general elections.

Nigeria’s political environment has historically experienced tensions during election periods, with disputes involving party supporters, candidates and political organisations sometimes resulting in violence.

The APC chairman’s comments therefore underline the importance of maintaining peaceful political activities and ensuring that disagreements among political parties do not threaten public safety.

Wike’s ₦10 Million Promise Intensifies Debate Over 2027 Election Mobilisation

The controversy surrounding Wike’s proposed ₦10 million reward highlights the growing importance of grassroots mobilisation as political parties prepare for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Political parties depend heavily on local structures, community leaders, councillors and other grassroots organisers to communicate campaign messages and encourage voter participation.

However, financial incentives connected to electoral outcomes can raise difficult questions about accountability, transparency and the integrity of the democratic process.

Although Yilwatda maintains that Wike’s proposal is not vote buying because the payments would be made after the elections, the debate over its implications is likely to continue.

Ultimately, the legality of any such arrangement will depend on the applicable electoral laws and the circumstances surrounding its implementation, rather than political assurances alone.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the controversy is likely to remain part of wider discussions about political financing, campaign practices and the responsibilities of political parties in protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions.