Follow Us on Google
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State chapter of the Labour Party has described the rainbow coalition model of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, as a masterclass in inclusive governance and progressive politics.
Chairman of the party in the state, Comrade Fredrick Nwoje, during a press conference on Tuesday, said the recent consultations and composition of the Wike political family, which brought together leaders across the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party and other stakeholders, have again shown why Wike remains one of the most strategic political leaders in the country.
“Wike is a rare breed of leader who has demonstrated uncommon capacity, uncommon loyalty and uncommon political sagacity,” Nwoje said.
He described Wike as a political colossus who stood tall when it mattered, noting that the FCT minister campaigned for President Bola Tinubu while delivering infrastructural development in Abuja.
“What Chief Wike has demonstrated with his rainbow coalition is that governance is bigger than party. While others preach unity, he practices it. While others play politics of exclusion and winner-takes-all, Wike has opened his doors to competent Rivers men and women regardless of party affiliation, because the interest of Rivers State is greater than any party flag,” he stated.
Nwoje said the coalition represents all-inclusive politics where no one is left behind, describing Wike as the National Leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
The Labour Party chairman also faulted the recent statement credited to the APC Governors Forum against Wike, describing it as panic and envy.
“Their statement is borne out of fear and political laziness. These are men who failed to leave any enduring legacy in their states, and now they have formed themselves into a forum of idle noise-makers to attack a man who is working,” he said.
He alleged that some former governors were lobbying in the Villa to undermine the FCT minister, adding that President Tinubu knows who is working.
“We challenge them: 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,” Nwoje said.
He reassured Labour Party members and candidates across the 23 local government areas that the party is a major stakeholder in the coalition and will not be shortchanged.
“Labour Party is not a spectator in this coalition. We are a major stakeholder. We have absolute confidence in the National Leader of the Coalition, His Excellency, Wike and national leadership of our great party under the National Chairman, Her Excellency Nanadi Esther Usman and the National Secretary, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma,” he said.
Nwoje added: “Our fair share, our rightful place and our due entitlements in this rainbow coalition will certainly get to us.”
He called on Rivers people, especially youths, to support the rainbow coalition for peace and development.
