KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, said more Rivers politicians joined his Rainbow Coalition after his recent visit and engagements across the state.
- Leadership reported that the Wike-backed coalition cuts across AA, APC, PDP and LP, after it visited ethnic nationalities around Rivers State.
- In Etche, former Reps member, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, ex-Omuma chairman, Chief Nwuke Anucha, and John Ngubo-Otamiri rejoined as more defections are expected before elections.
Following the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike recent visit to Rivers State, more politicians have joined the Rainbow Coalition.
According to a report by Leadership, various political parties in Rivers State have pitched their tent with the coalition after visiting ethnic nationalities across the state.
The aforementioned publication observed that in Etche ethnic nationality alone, three prominent politicians, including former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke; former chairman of Omuma local government area of state, Chief Nwuke Anucha; and former Etche council caretaker chairman John Ngubo-Otamiri came back into the political fold.
Speaking with the publication, Nwuke, who is also former Commissioner of Information and Communications, said more politicians from the ethnic bloc and other parts of the state were expected to join the coalition ahead of the general election.
He said: “I think one thing is very clear, we all belong to the same political family and it may mean APC or Rainbow Coalition. Efforts are being made to ensure everybody comes on board. We have a common interest and the common interest is the victory of the President.
“So, all the parties are working within the family to ensure that unity of purpose and for us to speak with one voice.
“I think that as a family, we recognise that working together is the best thing. Yesterday, when he (Wike) came to Etche to address a townhall, it was important that those of us who also are committed and who are willing to listen to the conversation go there and we did.
“The minister (Wike) is right in saying that the family is getting reunited. In the weeks ahead, much more members of the family will return. For us, it is homecoming and we are happy we are back home.”
