The Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike on Monday pledged N10 million reward for any councillor who wins his ward for President Bola Tinubu at the 2027 elections.Track Exec Orders
Wike, who promptly responded to the request of the local councils legislators, under the umbrella of National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, for improved take-home packages, vowed to immediately initiate the process of reviewing their salaries, allowances and other welfare packages.
The Minister made this disclosure while speaking at the Kwali Area Council Stakeholders interactive meeting.
He stated that the area councils were the lowest level where the people have the opportunity of feeling the impact of governance, and therefore the foot soldiers at that level must be properly taken care of.
He explained that the N10m reward, is not for FCT councillors alone, but open others in all the states of the Federation where the rainbow coalition has been accepted.
On the review of the council legislators salaries, the Minister noted that before approaching the Wages Commission, he would work with the FCT Permanent Secretary in charge of the Area Councils, to determine exactly what to do for the councillors.
”I was shocked when I asked the former Chairman, ‘What is the salary of the councillors in FCT?’ And he told me even the same thing the Councillor said. I said, ‘Why?’ They said, ‘Well, that’s what it is.’ That is not acceptable.
”Whatever it is I don’t want to take too much long processes. I don’t know what it is at the salaries and wages commission, I don’t know. There’s too much bureaucracy in Nigeria.
“Whichever way, when I go back, I will call the permanent secretary. Let’s see what we can do before we talk about wages and salaries”, Wike said.
Speaking earlier, Gambo Hamza, the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, said that for the past 19 years, the salaries of the councillors have not been increased, a situation that has made them a laughing stock to their constituents.
Hamza, on behalf of his group pledged to work for President Bola Tinubu, but also pleaded for immediate review of their packages and additional benefits.
