The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the N10m reward promised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to councillors who deliver their wards for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda said the money was intended to motivate councillors and would be paid only after the election, when the results had been established and legal processes concluded.

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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the APC chairman said Wike made the offer to councillors in the FCT, a group he estimated to comprise about 60 or more members.

“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 promise amounted to voter inducement, Yilwatda rejected the suggestion, arguing that political parties routinely provide money 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.

He compared the proposed payment to rewarding students for academic achievement, insisting that the timing of the payment was important.

According to him, the money would not be distributed before the election but after the results had been declared and any relevant legal processes concluded.

“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.

Asked again whether he considered the offer vote buying, Yilwatda replied, “Never.”

Wike had made the N10m pledge during a political meeting in Kwali Area Council, promising the amount to each councillor who delivers their ward for Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections.

The APC chairman also addressed questions about the party’s position on the Senate presidency after the next general election.

Asked whether the party would support the return of Senate President Godswill Akpabio if he secured re-election, Yilwatda said the decision 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.

On reports of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 polls, Yilwatda expressed sympathy for people injured in political incidents and said the APC supported 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 said.