I do not belong to any coalition, Hilda Dokubo addresses backlash over visit to Wike

Nollywood actress and Labour Party National Women Leader Hilda Dokubo has denied joining any political coalition following backlash over her visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Dokubo addressed the controversy in a video shared on her Instagram page on Saturday, following the circulation of photographs from her meeting with Wike in Port Harcourt.

The photographs, which were shared on Wednesday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, sparked speculation about Dokubo’s political allegiance and possible involvement in a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development attracted criticism from some social media users, particularly because of Dokubo’s known support for the Labour Party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Reacting to the backlash, the actress said she visited Wike in her capacity as the Labour Party’s National Women Leader and not as an entertainer or someone seeking political favours.

She said, “Over the past two days, I have watched the conversations, accusations and insinuations surrounding one photograph— no, two pictures from my visit to the FCC minister, Nyesom Wike. I have seen people draw conclusions, name names, attach meanings and then tell tall tales. So, ordinarily, I would just ignore social media rants. But in this case, if I do that ignoring, I will be fuelling further distortions and lies. So it is time for me to set the record straight. I didn’t visit Nyesom Wike as an actress, or as Larry put it, veteran Nollywood actress. No. I did not also go there as an individual seeking political favours, or someone looking for a new political home. I have a home: the Labour Party of Nigeria. I went there as the National Women Leader of the Labour Party. You all have watched and listened to the state chapter chairman claim that he has collapsed the structure of the party.”

Dokubo also dismissed suggestions that she had pledged allegiance to any political coalition, insisting that she remained with the Labour Party.

“I do not belong to any coalition. I have not pledged to belong to any coalition. And if I so choose to be part of any coalition, I am too big, an individual and a representative of our people, to be pushed in through the window. I will walk through that door majestically as I am, and I will announce my arrival myself,” she said.

In the caption accompanying the video, Dokubo said the photographs had generated interpretations that did not reflect the full circumstances of the meeting.

“A picture posted developed its own life, gave birth to several insinuations, captions and claims. They say a picture taken in front of a door means betraying your party and people, selling out and being paid out; ‘cash out’ So sometimes, a picture tells a story. Sometimes, it leaves out the most important part. Before you draw your conclusions, or add to the story, see this,” she wrote.

Dokubo has been an outspoken supporter of Peter Obi, campaigning for him during the 2023 presidential election. She also contested the Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency seat in Rivers State under the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections.

Her visit to Wike has therefore drawn attention because of her political association with Obi and her previous criticism of the FCT minister.

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