‘Deliver your ward for Tinubu, get N10m’ — Wike tells FCT Councillors

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to give N10m to every councillor who delivers their political ward for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the promise on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, attended by traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents.

He urged councillors to mobilise residents, youth groups and community associations to secure electoral victory for the APC in their respective wards.

“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President,” he said.

The minister also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

Expressing confidence in the APC’s chances, Wike declared that Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils would deliver total support for the party.

“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” he said.

### Wike tackles opposition over court judgments

The FCT minister also accused opposition parties and political figures of applying double standards in their reactions to judicial decisions.

He cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in an ADC-related matter, contrasting the opposition’s response to favourable court decisions with its criticism of judgments against its interests.

According to Wike, opposition figures praised the judiciary when court decisions favoured them but accused the government of influencing the courts when the outcomes went against them.

He questioned what he described as the inconsistency in their assessment of the judicial system.

### Defends SUVs for traditional rulers

Wike also defended his administration’s decision to provide brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, dismissing criticisms that the gesture amounted to political inducement or bribery.

He argued that traditional rulers deserved dignity and should not be expected to travel under difficult conditions while other public officials enjoyed official privileges.

The minister maintained that his administration would continue providing support for traditional institutions despite criticism from political commentators.

### Lists infrastructure projects across FCT

Wike further highlighted infrastructure projects undertaken by the FCT Administration, claiming that more than 270 kilometres of roads were being constructed across satellite towns, including 95 kilometres in Kwali.

He said the ongoing projects were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.

The minister also listed the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and infrastructure improvements as some of the Tinubu administration’s interventions in the territory.

He lamented what he described as the historical marginalisation of the FCT, noting that despite its estimated population of six to seven million people, the territory had only one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats.

Wike urged residents not to make what he described as a political mistake in 2027, insisting that the current administration had changed the FCT’s development trajectory.

### Wike promises to review councillors’ salaries

The minister also promised to look into the salaries of FCT councillors following a complaint by Gambo Hamza, Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter.

Hamza had told the minister that councillors in the territory received N260,000 monthly and appealed for an improvement in their remuneration.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, commended Wike for bringing political stakeholders together across party lines and promoting development in the territory.

His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mohammed Dogara, also praised the minister’s performance and assured him of massive support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Similarly, Aliyu Baka, who spoke on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, expressed regret over what he described as the coalition’s electoral mistakes in 2023, pledging to work towards victory for Tinubu and other APC candidates in 2027.

Source: Channels Television and The Punch.

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