You’re afraid of Rainbow Coalition, Okorocha is my good friend – Wike tells Hope Uzodinma

Politics

By Linda Ikeji
5 November 2026, 12:20 pm

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has questioned why Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma is uneasy in regards to the presence of the Rainbow Coalition in his state, whereas firmly sustaining that he owes no apology for his friendship with former governor Rochas Okorocha.

Speaking throughout his month-to-month media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike clarified that his major focus stays securing President Bola Tinubu’s reelection. He dismissed allegations linking him to political tensions in Imo State surrounding the coalition.

“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 that it was me, how would it have been me?” Wike mentioned.

Addressing the political friction straight, Wike defended his private and political relationships, questioning Governor Uzodinma’s apprehension towards competing political alignments.

“Why is Hope Uzodinma afraid of 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,” he said.

Emphasizing that his private alliances don’t compromise his political goals, Wike famous that political cross-friendships are widespread and mutual.

“Your business is to make sure that Mr President wins election, and I owe you no apologies that Rochas is my friend, 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,” he added.