Pastor Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) 2023 candidate for governor, has paid N50 million for the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.
Tonye Cole who was defeated by Nyesom Wike and Sim Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019 and 2023 respectively, purchased his form on Tuesday.
This time however, Cole will compete in the party’s governorship primary against Fubara, the current governor.
BACKSTORY…
Cole was anointed in the election by Amaechi, a former two-term governor of Rivers State who later became a minister. However, the party’s presidential candidate, now President Bola Tinubu, did not truly endorse the then-ADC candidate.
Tinubu later appointed Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a result of their political partnership.
In 2026, Governor Fubara switched from the PDP to the APC in anticipation of the 2027 election. However, following a bitter dispute with his political godfather, Wike, he may not seek a second term.
But since Wike seems to be in charge of both the APC and PDP in Rivers, Cole’s acquisition of the APC 2027 governorship candidacy form has created a dramatic backdrop.
Recall that Tonye Cole had also stated that he is prepared to run in the 2027 for governor on the basis of merit. He also vowed not to step down for any party candidate.
He said: “I am prepared and committed to participating in the party’s primary, rejecting the idea of an automatic ticket for any aspirant.”
“In Rivers State, I don’t think the governor has crossed over to the right part of the party. So, there is still controversy there. If you are asking me to step down, on what basis?”.
