The Rivers State chapter of the Labour Party has declared its support for the Rainbow Coalition being championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the party will play a major role in the political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The state chairman of the party, Fredrick Nwoje, said the coalition had created a platform for political leaders across party lines to work together, with the interest of Rivers State taking precedence over individual party affiliations.
Nwoje spoke on Wednesday at a press conference in Port Harcourt, where he described the coalition as an example of what he called inclusive governance and progressive politics.
“What Chief Wike has demonstrated with his rainbow coalition is that governance is bigger than party. While others preach unity, he practices it,” he said.
The Rivers LP chairman said the involvement of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party and other political interests showed Wike’s ability to bring different groups together.
He also criticised opposition from the APC Governors Forum, which has rejected political arrangements it believes could undermine the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
Nwoje described the governors’ position as a reflection of what he called political fear and envy, challenging them to confront Wike and his coalition openly.
“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,” he said.
He also backed Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing the FCT minister as the national leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
Nwoje said the Labour Party would not accept a peripheral role in the coalition, assuring members and candidates across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas that the party remained a major stakeholder.
“Labour Party is not a spectator in this coalition. We are a major stakeholder,” he said.
He promised that the party would receive what he described as its fair share and rightful place within the political arrangement.
Nwoje also alleged that some former governors were lobbying against Wike at the Presidential Villa, but expressed confidence that President Tinubu would recognise those contributing to his administration.
He urged Rivers residents, particularly youths, to support the coalition in the interest of peace and development in the state.
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