Rivers LP backs Wike’s Rainbow Coalition

The Rivers State chapter of the Labour Party has backed the Rainbow Coalition being championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Rivers LP Chairman, Fredrick Nwoje, announced the party’s position at a press conference in Port Harcourt, describing the coalition as an inclusive political platform bringing together leaders from different parties.

Nwoje said the involvement of politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party and other groups showed Wike’s ability to bring different political interests together.

“What Chief Wike has demonstrated with his rainbow coalition is that governance is bigger than party. While others preach unity, he practices it,” he said.

The LP chairman said the coalition had created room for Rivers people to participate in governance regardless of their political affiliations.

He also described Wike as the National Leader of the Rainbow Coalition and commended his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The endorsement comes amid opposition to the coalition from the APC Governors Forum, which has expressed concern about political arrangements involving members of rival parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nwoje criticised the governors’ position, accusing them of attacking Wike rather than confronting his political influence directly.

“If they think Chief Wike has no political value, stop crying behind closed doors. Come out openly to the political field, campaign against him and his coalition,” he said.

He also alleged that some former governors were lobbying at the Presidential Villa against the FCT minister.

Nwoje, however, said President Tinubu was capable of recognising those contributing to his administration.

On the Labour Party’s place within the coalition, the chairman assured members and candidates across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State that the party would not be sidelined.

“Labour Party is not a spectator in this coalition. We are a major stakeholder,” he said.

He added that the party expected to receive what he described as its fair share and rightful place within the arrangement.

Nwoje urged Rivers residents, particularly young people, to support the Rainbow Coalition, saying the political arrangement could contribute to peace and development in the state.