The Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, Anthony Ehilebo, has described the Rainbow Coalition initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike as a self-serving and power-grab plan.

Mr Ehilebo said on Wednesday in Abuja that the move failed to address the widespread economic hardship Nigerians were facing.

Reacting to the ongoing political disagreement between Mr Wike and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, Mr Ehilebo argued that political alliances remained meaningless unless they directly target alleviating the sufferings of the citizens.

“If the rainbow coalition can proffer a solution to feeding the hungry Nigerians or put money into the pockets of Nigerians, that will be nice; otherwise, I don’t see any importance in the so-called coalition.

“Anything that does not result in Nigerians being able to buy petrol at a 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.

Mr 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, as one from a well-known farming background, the family permanently shut down its farms five years ago due to unstable economic policies.

“I wish the FCT minister was talking about how to better the lots of Nigerians; he didn’t form the Rainbow Coalition to address such issues, he formed it to grab power,” he 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.

He stressed that the 2027 general elections transcended political parties; saying framing the quest for support for political parties toward collective effort to dismantle current economic challenges and policy inconsistencies that have crippled businesses should be of more importance at this time.

He stated, “2027 is not about 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.”

(NAN)