The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to explain why he opposes the Rainbow Coalition in the state. Wike also defended his friendship with former Imo governor Rochas Okorocha, saying he owes Uzodinma no apology.
Wike spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where he said his political priority was President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The minister said he was not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and denied claims that he was behind political developments involving the Rainbow Coalition in Imo State.
He recalled that Uzodinma had publicly warned against the formation of the coalition in the state before a court judgment on the matter.
Wike questioned the governor’s position, asking why he was uncomfortable with the political group.
“Why is Hope Uzodinma afraid of Rainbow Coalition? What’s the problem?” he asked.
He argued that political supporters could back different candidates while working towards a common electoral objective. “Your business is to make sure that Mr President wins election, and I owe you no apologies that Rochas is my friend,” Wike said.
He also questioned whether his friendship with Okorocha should become an issue simply because the former governor had political disagreements with Uzodinma.
Wike further pointed out that Uzodinma also had friends in Rivers State who were political opponents of his.
However, he said he had never considered harming the Imo governor because of those relationships.
“He also has friends in my state who are my political enemies, would I go and kill him? No,” he added.
The minister maintained that his relationship with Okorocha would not stop him from supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid.
His comments come amid political disagreements surrounding the Rainbow Coalition and the political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
