Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy - Politics

Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy (7360 Views)

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Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by press9jatv(op): 8:41pm On May 20

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: WITHDRAWAL FROM RIVERS STATE APC GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARIES

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, great people of Rivers State.

I would like to address an important development regarding tomorrow’s primaries.

As a committed democrat and a firm believer in the supremacy of strong institutions as the foundation for sustainable development, I have consistently advocated for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among the various stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of our great party, the APC.

In recent days, the national leadership of our party convened a critical stakeholders’ meeting during which far-reaching discussions were held on the future of the Rivers APC and the imperative of presenting a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections.

Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries.

Accordingly, I wish to formally announce my withdrawal from the race and pledge my full support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the conclusion of the primaries.

This decision was not made lightly. It is the product of deep reflection, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the stability, growth, and success of our great party and our beloved state.

I wish to sincerely appreciate the thousands of party faithful, supporters, women groups, youths, elders, and well-meaning people of Rivers State who have stood steadfastly with me throughout this journey. Your loyalty, encouragement, and belief in our shared vision have been profoundly humbling and inspiring.

I may be stepping aside from this contest, I remain fully committed to the ideals, principles, and aspirations that brought us together, and I will continue to work tirelessly for the progress of our party and the development of Rivers State and for the important change we all want to see.

I therefore call on all my supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast, and to give their full cooperation to the leadership of our great party. Let us unite and work together to secure victory for our President, our party, and all APC candidates in the 2027 General Elections.

God bless the APC.
God bless Rivers State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Tonye P. Cole, mni
2027 APC Rivers State Gubernatorial Aspirant

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GoQdrxizM/

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by press9jatv(op): 8:42pm On May 20

Fubara, Chinda, Kelly are in the race. More aspirant will step down..

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by WhizdomXX(m): 10:42pm On May 20

press9jatv:
Fubara, Chinda, Kelly are in the race. More aspirant will step down..

Fubara has stepped down. Wike wins.

12 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by press9jatv(op): 7:06am On May 21

WhizdomXX:
Fubara has stepped down. Wike wins.

yes sooo. Fubara defeat himself

5 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Nwaikpe: 8:04am On May 21

Something is just too wrong with this party.
Even their supporters know.

15 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by LagosOrigin: 8:05am On May 21

APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

25 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Gbadugbakun(m): 8:06am On May 21

How can wike a registered PDP member be controlling the affairs of APC? This is weird

29 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by emkz: 8:07am On May 21

Exactly what Desmond could have done. Instead, Desmond wore one funny danshiki with strange pockets and withdrew from the race and re-entered the race and still lost.

Desmond, can you explain that pit latrine you commissioned and pako bridge as constituency projects?

Olusola Desmond Elliot (ODE), so your legacy projects in Surulere Constituency were pako bridge and pit latrine? So that people will walk on pako bridge and go and poopoo in your pit latrine? I hope there is no picture of yourself in those latrines?

Pit latrine? Desmond, you'd be remembered for pit latrines.

Sentiments aside, Olusola Desmond Elliot, with your pit latrine and pako bridge, would you consider voting for yourself in any capacity?

Desmond, between now and the end of your tenure, mend your ways. Donate equipment or drugs to hospitals, build a community center, renovate 5 schools, donate buses to seven public schools, donate chairs, donate electronic boards to schools, buy air conditioners and industrial generators for hospitals, award scholarships and give upkeep to indigent students. Never grant interviews again as it is clear you are not exactly good at them. And PLEASE, if anyone suggests pit latrines or pako bridge to you, tell the person one thing: "get away from me with your satanic influence."

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Gotocourt: 8:07am On May 21

Rivers people are conquered people 📌💯.
Why didn't Tinubu take his madness to the north angry

11 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Onewazobia(m): 8:09am On May 21

It's not party rather Nigerians, which clearly reflects on how we live day by day as a people. What's the difference between APC, PDP, LP, APGA, etc.
We have messed up too many things 😭😭😭😭, it's really 😢😢😢😢😢

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by DomPerignon: 8:10am On May 21

LagosOrigin:
APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

Hopelessly hopeless man finds one strand of hope he never hoped he will find while hopelessly drowning without hope

7 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by LagosOrigin: 8:11am On May 21

DomPerignon:
Hopelessly hopeless man finds one strand of hope he never hoped he will find while hopelessly drowning without hope

Are you describing your father in that manner ?

Just asking

3 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Wotowotoman: 8:19am On May 21

This Tonye guy has been trying to be governor for over a decade now. Another 4 years go pass and he go emerge again like Atiku who most likely is part of Sahara’s story lipsrsealed

Ogbeni, shey na more money you dey find for politics abi which kind wahala be this? Guy, leave politics and go enjoy the billions wey Sahara dey make everywhere through your connections with government. E be like say the money too much and you wan squander am on politics wey no go ever work for you. Why not just kukuma dash the money to the less privileged in that same Rivers state? 🤔

3 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by EponObi(f): 8:20am On May 21

LagosOrigin:
APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

Yinmu! 🤪 Underground ko. Overhead ni.

You sabi create scenarios in your head sha. Here you are dancing along with your delusion. 🤣🤣🤣

I wan see how any party wan defeat APC and Wike in Rivers. Who's your NDC candidate self, we no even sabi am. You go think say e go be like 2023.

APC go stretch una, you go see ojuju 😂

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by IgOga(m): 8:23am On May 21

LagosOrigin:
APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

if that floats your boat grin

3 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by aviona: 8:24am On May 21*

I pity for Rivers state. Wike and APC don't care about the will or survival of the people. All they are after is to own and control political decisions, institutional control, impunity and control the entire wealth of the state; just like Tinubu in Lagos State, where ordinary Lagosians have zero say in choosing who becomes their Governor year in year out.
How else can you define the term 'State Capture'?

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Blacksavage(m): 8:27am On May 21

Something is fishy abi dem don give baba warning ?

1 Like

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by ViolentC: 8:28am On May 21

Wike is having a huge leverage here. You are in PDP, but still controlling APC in Rivers State, no thanks to Tinubu who is ready to sacrifice anything in Rivers State for Wike just to secure his own second term ambition.

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Figolouis: 8:44am On May 21

So Wike is more powerful than Hope!!!!
We thought with is backing, Fubara stands GIDIGBA

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Jahwinaboy(m): 8:47am On May 21

You don go dash them 40-50 million for form. What a waste of money

2 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by ogelekpomgam(m): 8:53am On May 21

aviona:
I pity for Rivers state. Wike and APC don't care about the will or survival of the people. All they are after is to own and control political decisions, institutional control, impunity and control the entire wealth of the state; just like Tinubu in Lagos State, where ordinary Lagosians have zero say in who becomes their Governor year in year out.
How else can you define the term 'State Capture'?

So appalling.And those are the kind of Leaders deluded fools support. sad

2 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by damkin24(m): 8:57am On May 21

LagosOrigin:
APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

It might shock you first.

3 Likes

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Houseofglam7(f): 8:59am On May 21

A perpetual contestant 😫

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Daniel058(m): 9:13am On May 21

Fubara should defect to NDC asap

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by AcadaWriter0: 9:17am On May 21

A little bit of fun, right? A bit of playful banter about the Nigerian political landscape.

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by ufotunang: 9:36am On May 21

Gbadugbakun:
How can wike a registered PDP member be controlling the affairs of APC? This is weird

..it's because he has the support of Tinubu in doing all this things in rivers APC

1 Like

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by ufotunang: 9:36am On May 21

Wike dictatorship politics

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by nwirinedu(m): 10:11am On May 21

Why are they all withdrawing? First it was the simcard, then Jack Kelly then this one? Who dey pursue una?

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by Gab1976(m): 10:18am On May 21

River State APC that rejected WIKE'S membership is now been controlled by thesame WIKE in the whole of River state.

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by frankoboh: 10:44am On May 21

ufotunang:
..it's because he has the support of Tinubu in doing all this things in rivers APC

Sometimes u create ur own support by showing how relevant u are in the scheme of things.. Tinubu has no option than to support him..

Re: Tonye Cole withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary, cites Party supremacy by buhariguy(m): 9:38pm On May 21

LagosOrigin:
APC will lose in rivers state in 2027, there is an underground plan going on that will shock tinubu and Wike in 2027..

I will remind you of your shock by January 17th 2026

1 Reply

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