National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Nentawe Yilwatda has maintained that the N10 million financial reward offered by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to local councillors is a standard mobilisation incentive and not an act of vote inducement. The controversial pledge aims to motivate grassroots officials to secure electoral victories for President Bola Tinubu and ruling party candidates during the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Appearing on a current affairs program on Monday, Yilwatda addressed the remarks made by the FCT minister during a political gathering in the Kwali Area Council. He explained that the financial backing is targeted at roughly sixty councillors within the territory to encourage effective grassroots coordination.
When questioned about the legality and ethical implications of the financial promise, the ruling party leader firmly rejected claims of voter buying. He argued that political platforms across the board disburse operational funds for mobilisation purposes during election cycles.
What are the conditions surrounding the disbursement?
Addressing the timing of the payout, Yilwatda emphasized that the funds would not influence voters directly at the polling booths because the money is scheduled for distribution only after the polls have concluded. He likened the arrangement to rewarding students for academic excellence, stressing that fulfillment occurs after a legally verified victory.
"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 stated during the interview.
When pressed directly on whether the initiative constitutes vote buying, Yilwatda answered with an emphatic negative.
What is the party's stance on leadership positions and electoral violence?
Shifting focus to parliamentary leadership, Yilwatda declined to pre-empt lawmakers regarding the leadership of the tenth National Assembly. Asked if the party would back current Senate President Godswill Akpabio for a return, he stated that the ultimate decision lies strictly with the senators.
On the subject of pre-election violence, the party chairman expressed sympathy for victims of political clashes across the country. He distanced the ruling platform from violent infractions, reiterating that the party remains committed to upholding credible, free, and fair electoral processes.