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Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his promise to give N10 million to each councillor who delivers his ward for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Okonkwo described the pledge as vote buying, alleging that it amounted to bribery under Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026.
He, in a post on X on Wednesday, challenged INEC to take action against the minister, warning that failure to do so would raise questions about the commission’s commitment to enforcing electoral laws.
“Wike’s offer of N10m to every Councillor who delivers his ward is pure vote buying and comes under the offence of bribery in section 125 of the Electoral Act,” Okonkwo wrote.
“If INEC does not prosecute Wike now then let it be man enough to admit that it had sold the 2027 general election to the highest bidder,” he added.
Wike’s offer of N10m to every Councillor who delivers his ward is pure vote buying and comes under the offence of bribery in section 125 of the Electoral Act. If INEC does not prosecute Wike now then let it be man enough to admit that it had sold the 2027 general election to the highest bidder
— Kenneth Okonkwo (@realkenokonkwo) November 11, 2026
Wike announced the N10 million reward on Monday at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, where he urged councillors to mobilise community leaders, youth groups and associations to secure victory for Tinubu and APC candidates.
“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,” the minister said.
Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026 criminalises the corrupt offering or promising of gifts or money to induce someone to secure electoral support or votes. It also provides an exception for money paid for lawful election expenses.
Wike has defended the pledge, saying it was an incentive for political mobilisation and not an attempt to buy votes.
He said he had asked councillors to work for electoral victory, not to distribute money to voters.
“I didn’t tell them, ‘Take this money and go and buy votes.’ I said, ‘Go and work. Show commitment. Demonstrate that you really mean what you are talking about. When you win, come, and we are going to reward you,’” he said.
