Former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has vowed not to step down for any aspirant within the party, insisting he is ready to contest the 2027 governorship primary on merit.
Cole spoke against the backdrop of discussions within the APC about whether sitting governors who defect into the party should be given automatic tickets ahead of primaries.
The businessman‑turned‑politician rejected the notion that any candidate should be handed the party’s ticket without contest.
“I am prepared and committed to participating in the party’s primary, rejecting the idea of an automatic ticket for any aspirant,” Cole told Sunday Punch.
He reiterated that his intention is to earn the mandate through a transparent contest that reflects the will of party members.
Cole also weighed in on the ongoing political realignment in Rivers State following the defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the APC.
He argued that Fubara had not integrated into what he called “the right part of the party” in the state, and said existing leadership tussles needed to be resolved on local terms.
“Everybody knows that Tony Okocha is Wike’s faction of the APC. It is not hidden; he owns the structure, and Okocha follows Wike all over the place,” Cole said.
He questioned whether the faction had fully aligned itself with the party leadership at the national level.
“Has that group agreed with the President? That needs to be addressed quickly,” he added.
On Fubara’s place in the party, Cole said, “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?”
