Former APC Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has expressed deep concern over the state of politics in Rivers, describing it as a “running joke” due to the blurred lines between the APC and PDP.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Cole highlighted the confusion surrounding party identities in the state, questioning which party is truly in charge.
He stated, “You have a PDP that is an APC, and an APC that is a PDP, and it is a running joke. Which party is really in charge of Rivers State? Is it APC, PDP,..? We need to first decide who is really APC or PDP. The first thing that needs to be done is the resolution of who is in charge of the party in Rivers State.”
Cole didn’t mince words when discussing the broader implications of this confusion, noting that the political environment in Rivers has deteriorated to a point where “impunity is the first rule of law, then the rule of law comes after.”
He stressed the need for a political reset, saying, “We have gotten into a point of impunity in politics, and I believe that has to come to an end.”
As the feud between former Governor Nyesom Wike and current Governor Sim Fubara continues to unfold, Cole made his position clear, “I stand on Tonye Cole’s side. The whole reason I came to politics was to fix the problem of Rivers State, that problem must be solved.”
He reflected on the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Fubara, acknowledging Wike’s sense of betrayal but cautioning against excessive control. “Wike stated that he bought the forms, did everything, and he felt that there was a total betrayal of that patronage. But I have learnt that you cannot put that kind of control even on your own child without them revolting,” Cole remarked.
When asked how he would address the conflict, Cole advocated for a clear delineation of roles and respect for governance. “We first need to understand that everybody has a place. Fubara is Governor, let him govern. If I were Wike, I would be pointing out and guiding Fubara because you are PDP, and you would like PDP to succeed.”
He also addressed the internal crisis within the APC in Rivers State, acknowledging the leadership of Emeka Beke amid ongoing disputes. “As we speak today, APC Rivers State is run by Emeka Beke. He is the only one that can speak for APC Rivers State. The only voice for APC in Rivers is Emeka Beke,” he asserted.
Turning to the national level, Cole emphasised the importance of translating economic progress into tangibley benefits for ordinary Nigerians. He explained, “The GDP in Nigeria can grow, inflation can come down in numbers, but if it does not begin to translate to a little bit more money to spend, to save, more money to do, easier ability to get a job or start up a business, because the average Nigerian does not care about it, it is how it translates into their pockets that matter to them.”
He urged the APC to “simplify the economy” and demonstrate how economic growth directly impacts the lives of citizens.
Reflecting on his past governorship campaign, Cole remained resolute in his commitment to Rivers State. “The reality is that the Supreme Court handed over the results of the election to Fubara. But that is yesterday’s story. There’s another battle today, which is to take back Rivers State, bring back sanity to the politics in Rivers, make people believe in their political leaders, business leaders, spiritual leaders.”
NANCY MBAMALU
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