OKOROCHA VS UZODIMMA: WIKE BREAKS SILENCE, DENIES PLOT BEHIND COURT VICTORY, SLAMS ALLEGED THREAT OVER RAINBOW COALITION

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations linking him to the Federal High Court judgment that recognised former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

Wike, who spoke during a live media chat on Thursday, described the insinuations as mischievous, insisting that he neither instituted the suit nor had any involvement in the legal proceedings that culminated in the October 29 judgment.

Responding to questions about his alleged connection to the ruling, the former Rivers State governor declared that he had no business with the case, particularly as he was not a member of the APC.

"Anybody calling my name is being mischievous. I didn't go to court. I'm not in APC. I don't know what the issue is," Wike stated.

The FCT Minister also reacted to reports that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had allegedly warned individuals promoting the proposed Rainbow Coalition in the state, threatening to seize their vehicles.

Describing the reported statement as uncivilised, Wike questioned the appropriateness of such political rhetoric, particularly amid growing disagreements surrounding the proposed coalition.

He further clarified a viral video showing him dancing with Okorocha, explaining that the footage was recorded when he hosted the former Imo governor during his tenure as governor.

According to Wike, the video had been taken out of context and should not be interpreted as evidence of his involvements.

The controversy followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on October 29, 2026.

The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Rochas Okorocha as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, ruling that he won the party's senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.

The judgment arose from a suit instituted by Okorocha challenging INEC's recognition of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the winner of the primary election.

The court held that the evidence before it established that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the exercise and consequently ordered INEC to replace Uzodimma's name with that of the former governor.

However, the ruling has been disputed by the Imo State chapter of the APC, while Uzodimma has indicated plans to challenge the judgment through an appeal.

Wike's clarification comes against the backdrop of political disagreements between him and Governor Uzodimma over the proposed Rainbow Coalition, an emerging political arrangement designed to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.

The coalition seeks to bring politicians from different political parties together to support Tinubu's presidential ambition without necessarily requiring them to abandon their respective parties or support APC candidates in other electoral contests.

Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has consistently defended the arrangement, arguing that political parties and their members can support the same presidential candidate while maintaining independent positions in governorship and legislative elections.

Former Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier endorsed the Rainbow Coalition concept during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on October 29, announcing his intention to establish a similar political alliance in Imo State.

Speaking further on Thursday, Wike maintained that his political priority was ensuring President Tinubu's victory in the 2027 presidential election, stressing that supporting the President did not automatically translate into surrendering other political interests.

The unfolding controversy highlights the growing political realignments, competing interests and strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly within the APC and the opposition political landscape.