Anthony Ehilebo, the Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has described the rainbow coalition initiative of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as a self-serving and power-grab plan.
Ehilebo told reporters on Wednesday in Abuja that the move failed to address the widespread economic hardship Nigerians face.
Reacting to the ongoing political disagreement between Wike and Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ehilebo argued that political alliances remained meaningless unless they directly target alleviating the sufferings of the citizens.
“If the rainbow coalition can proffer solutions to feeding the hungry Nigerians or put money into the pockets of Nigerians, that will be nice; otherwise I don’t see any importance of the so-called coalition.
“Anything that does not result in Nigerians being able to buy petrol at reduced price and make life more meaningful for ordinary people does not call for serious attention at this time.
“All that he is doing is just to grab power. It has nothing to do with the welfare of Nigerians,” he said.
Ehilebo highlighted how inconsistent government policies had destroyed businesses and driven citizens into harsh economic conditions, and emphasised the need for measures toward making the country’s economy more productive, especially the agricultural sector.
He said that, as someone from a well-known farming background, his family permanently shut down its farms in the past five years due to unstable economic policies.
“I wish the FCT minister was talking about how to better the lives of lots of Nigerians; he didn’t form the Rainbow Coalition to address such issues, he formed it to grab power,” Ehilebo said.
He called on the present administration to urgently look into the challenges of poverty, insecurity, education and the high cost of petroleum products rather than talk about the Rainbow Coalition.
Ehilebo stressed that the 2027 general elections transcended political parties, saying that framing the quest for support for political parties toward a collective effort to dismantle current economic challenges and policy inconsistencies that had crippled businesses should be of more importance at this time.
“2027 is not about a political party rainbow coalition or whatever coalition; it’s about removing this evil that was planted upon Nigeria as quickly as we can. 2027 is another time for us to vote for the right people that will fix the country,” he added.
