The African Action Congress (AAC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has issued a stern warning to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a reported promise of ₦10 million to councillors who “deliver” their respective wards for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing the alleged arrangement as vote-buying, electoral manipulation and a potential trigger for political violence.
In a press statement dated November 10, 2026, and signed by the FCT Chairman of the party, Agena Robert Ande, the AAC condemned the reported promise, demanding that the minister immediately withdraw the statement and explain the source of the money.
The party expressed anger over the development, insisting that offering financial rewards to councillors based on electoral outcomes raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process and the freedom of voters to choose their preferred candidates without pressure or inducement.
“What you are promising is not politics. It is not campaign. It is vote-buying. It is rigging. It is bribery,” the party declared, arguing that the reported arrangement amounts to an affront to the people of the FCT and the principles underpinning Nigeria’s democratic system.
The AAC challenged Wike to publicly disclose whether the proposed ₦10 million payments would come from his personal resources, public funds belonging to the FCT Administration or another source.
The party questioned how the minister could promise such a substantial amount to councillors across the territory and demanded clarification on the financial origin of the proposed payments.
“If this money is from public funds, it is looting. If it is from elsewhere, let him declare it,” the statement said.
The opposition party called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the reported promise and establish whether any public resources or unlawful financial inducements are involved.
Beyond the financial questions, the AAC raised concerns about the possible implications of the reported arrangement for electoral security across the FCT, particularly if councillors interpret the instruction to “deliver” their wards as pressure to secure electoral outcomes by any means.
The party questioned whether the reported promise was intended to encourage legitimate political mobilisation or could create incentives for intimidation, threats, vote-buying, ballot-box snatching and the deployment of political thugs against voters who refuse to support the ruling party.
According to the AAC, the reported development risks creating a tense political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections and could place communities across the six area councils — Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji — under unnecessary electoral pressure.
“Elections should not be war. Elections are not war. Elections are a contest of ideas, not a contest of bullets, thugs and bribery,” the party stated.
The AAC maintained that every eligible voter in the FCT must be allowed to exercise their franchise freely, without intimidation, coercion, harassment or financial inducement. It stressed that neither the minister, councillors, political thugs nor security personnel have the right to compel citizens to vote for President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the AAC or any other political party.
The party further warned that any attack, intimidation or denial of voting rights linked to the reported ₦10 million promise would attract political, legal and moral consequences, adding that it would hold Wike personally accountable for his political responsibility as FCT minister.
Outlining its planned response, the AAC FCT Chapter said it would petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, urging them to take note of the reported development and ensure adequate protection for voters before and during the elections.
The party also announced plans to mobilise its members, lawyers and election observers to monitor polling wards, document suspected cases of vote-buying and report incidents of electoral violence to the appropriate authorities.
It added that it would collaborate with opposition political parties and civil society organisations to resist any attempt to manipulate the FCT electoral process through financial inducements, intimidation or violence.
In a direct message to the minister, the AAC argued that Wike’s responsibility was to govern and develop the FCT rather than use his position to advance a political project at the expense of democratic competition.
“Mr. Minister, you were appointed to serve the FCT, not to own it. You were appointed to develop Abuja, not to turn it into your personal political empire,” the statement declared.
The party also rejected any suggestion that the political dynamics of the FCT could be treated as an extension of Wike’s previous political environment in Rivers State, insisting that Abuja residents must be allowed to make independent electoral choices.
“The FCT is not Rivers State. The people of Abuja are not for sale,” it added.
The AAC called on Wike to withdraw the reported statement, refrain from using money to influence the democratic process and avoid actions that could expose young people to political violence.
Reaffirming its position ahead of the 2027 general elections, the party said the people of the FCT would determine their political future through the ballot and should not be subjected to financial inducements or coercion.
“The people of FCT will vote their conscience in 2027, and no ₦10 million will buy their future,” the statement declared, concluding with the slogan: “FCT IS NOT FOR SALE!”
The statement was signed by Agena Robert Ande, Chairman of the African Action Congress, FCT Chapter.