CSOs petition INEC Wike over N10m pledge to councillors who win votes for Tinubu
A coalition of civil society groups have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking it to investigate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his reported pledge to pay N10 million to each FCT councillor whose ward delivers votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The coalition, under the aegis of the Civil Society Coalition on Electoral Integrity, made the request in a petition dated November 11, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman.
The groups urged the electoral commission to refer the matter to the Nigeria Police Force for an impartial investigation to determine whether the reported pledge constitutes an electoral offence under Section 125(1)(a) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to the petition citing media reporting, Wike made the pledge on November 9 at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
The petition also cited a November 10 media report in which the minister reportedly described the pledge as a reward for hard work in political mobilisation, while insisting that he had not asked councillors to pay voters.
However, the coalition argued that the reported connection between financial rewards to individual councillors and electoral performance in their respective wards raised concerns that warranted investigation.
It maintained that the full recording of the meeting, witness accounts and documents detailing the terms of the pledge should be examined alongside the minister’s explanation.
Explaining the legal basis for its complaint, the coalition cited Section 125(1)(a) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which criminalises corrupt offers or promises made directly or indirectly to induce a person to procure or attempt to procure the election of a candidate or the vote of an elector.
The organisations argued that the provision covers both offers and promises, meaning an investigation would not necessarily require proof that money had already changed hands.
They, however, urged investigators to establish what was promised, the conditions attached to the proposed payments and whether the circumstances suggested corrupt intent.
The coalition also called for an examination of Section 125(3) of the Act, which excludes payments made or agreed for genuine and lawful election expenses.
It said investigators should determine whether the proposed payments were tied to identifiable lawful expenses or whether eligibility depended on the electoral outcome in each ward.
The petition further urged INEC to consider other relevant provisions, including Sections 125(1)(c) and 131(a), if evidence of actual disbursement emerges.
Among the signatories are the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Initiative for Social Development in Africa (iSODAF), One Love Foundation, Media Initiative Against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC), and Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria).
Others include the African Centre for Security, Governance and Development, Alliance for Inclusive Development, Centre for Citizens Rights, Agents of Communication and Development, Vision Spring Initiatives and TruORGANIC Initiative for Social and Communities Development.
