You're afraid of Rainbow Coalition, Okorocha is my friend - Wike tells Hope Uzodinma

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

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike clarified that his primary focus remains 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 said.

Addressing the political friction directly, Wike defended his personal and political relationships, questioning Governor Uzodinma's apprehension toward 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 stated.

Emphasizing that his personal alliances do not compromise his political objectives, Wike noted that political cross-friendships are common 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.