Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has challenged Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma regarding the latter's resistance to the Rainbow Coalition within his state. Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike questioned why the governor is "afraid" of the political alliance, asserting that he owes no apology for his personal friendship with former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The minister stated that his primary political objective is the reelection of President Bola Tinubu. He expressed surprise at the attribution of certain political tensions to him, noting that Uzodinma had previously issued warnings against the presence of the Rainbow Coalition in Imo State before recent judicial judgments were rendered.
"I'm not in the APC, and before that judgment was given, he (Uzodinma) had openly warned that there is no Rainbow Coalition in Imo State, very uncivilized. So, when that happened, it was credited to me; how would it have been me?" Wike said.
Wike argued that political competition should be conducted through legitimate means, suggesting that supporters of different candidates can coexist within the electoral process. He emphasized that the responsibility lies with the governor to ensure the president's victory, while he focuses on his own political engagements.
"Why is Hope Uzodinma afraid of the Rainbow Coalition? What's the problem? You are running an election, and he is supporting you; you tell your supporters to vote for you, and I tell my supporters to vote for me, and we compound it together," the minister explained. He further stated, "Your business is to make sure that Mr President wins the election, and I owe you no apologies that Rochas is my friend."
Addressing the personal nature of the political dispute, Wike asked if Uzodinma would sever ties with him simply because his friend, Okorocha, has issues with him in Imo State. He drew a parallel to his own situation, noting that Okorocha has political enemies in Wike's home state who would not cause him to end their friendship.
"So will you kill me because my friend has an issue with you in your state? He also has friends in my state who are my political enemies; would I go and kill him? No," Wike concluded, reinforcing his stance that personal relationships should not dictate political alliances or enmities.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
