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 deliver their wards for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Yilwatda said the money was intended to motivate the councillors and would only be paid after the election results had been established.
“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 offer amounted to voter inducement, the APC chairman dismissed the suggestion, arguing that political parties routinely provide funds for mobilisation.
“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.
Yilwatda compared the proposed reward to incentives given to students for academic excellence, insisting that the timing of the payment was important.
“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 the offer to be vote buying, Yilwatda responded emphatically: “Never.”
Wike had made the pledge during a political meeting in Kwali Area Council, promising N10 million to each councillor who delivers their ward for Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, Yilwatda said the decision on whether Senate President Godswill Akpabio would retain his position if re-elected would be left to senators.
“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.
Commenting on reports of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, the APC chairman expressed sympathy for victims of violence and reiterated his party’s support for 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 added.
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