“What Chief Wike Has Demonstrated With His Rainbow Coalition Is That Governance Is Bigger Than Party” — Rivers LP Chairman, Fredrick Nwoje Declares as Rivers Labour Party Backs Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, Declares LP Major Stakeholder

The Rivers State chapter of the Labour Party has described the emerging Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, as a model of political inclusiveness, saying the alliance has demonstrated that governance and the interests of the people can transcend party boundaries.

The position was made known by the state Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Fredrick Nwoje, during a press conference on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, amid growing political realignments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwoje was reacting to the recent consultations and expanding composition of the political family associated with Wike, which has brought together political actors and stakeholders across the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party and other political interests.

According to him, the development reflects a political arrangement in which individuals from different political backgrounds can work together around issues concerning the development and future of Rivers State.

“Wike is a rare breed of leader who has demonstrated uncommon capacity, uncommon loyalty and uncommon political sagacity,” Nwoje said.

The Labour Party chairman described Wike as a political colossus who, in his view, has consistently demonstrated the ability to operate across political divides. He particularly referenced Wike’s political support for President Bola Tinubu alongside his responsibilities as FCT Minister, as well as the infrastructure projects being executed in Abuja.

Nwoje said the emerging coalition represents a departure from what he described as conventional partisan politics, arguing that political affiliation should not prevent competent individuals from contributing to the affairs of the state.

“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.

He further described the arrangement as an all-inclusive political structure where, according to him, individuals and groups are being accommodated irrespective of their political platforms.

Nwoje consequently referred to Wike as the National Leader of the Rainbow Coalition, stressing that the Labour Party considers itself an important participant in the emerging political arrangement.

The Rivers Labour Party chairman also took aim at a recent statement attributed to the APC Governors Forum concerning Wike. He described the criticism of the FCT minister as politically motivated and alleged that some former governors were lobbying in the Presidential Villa against Wike.

“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.

Nwoje further challenged those questioning Wike’s political relevance to engage the coalition openly rather than, as he alleged, attempting to undermine it through private political manoeuvring.

“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 also sought to reassure Labour Party members, leaders and candidates across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas that the party would remain actively involved in the coalition and would pursue what he described as its rightful position within the emerging political structure.

“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.”

The development comes amid broader political realignments in Rivers State, where political actors from previously opposing camps have in recent months been involved in reconciliation efforts and discussions around the emerging coalition. The Guardian reported on October 7 that Wike and other members of his political camp also met with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of his political camp in a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt.

Nwoje concluded by calling on Rivers people, particularly youths, to support the coalition, which he linked to the pursuit of peace, political cooperation and development in the state.