FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed comments by former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, describing him as lacking legitimacy and political relevance in Rivers State.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Wike reacted to Cole’s remarks that he was “confusing Rivers State politics” by allegedly controlling both the PDP and APC through the backdoor.
Wike said: “Is it the one that says he’s Pastor Tonye Cole? He wasn’t a candidate. He was not. He was not a candidate of the APC. The Supreme Court said he was not a candidate. They didn’t participate in the election. How could he run against me?”
Wike added: “Yes, yes. I saw the clips. One Pastor Tonye Cole said I’m confusing. What? He should continue to be confused. At my level of politics, we are not at the same path. Please. Tonye Cole cannot talk about politics of Rivers and Nigeria and say he’s going to sit down with me. He has no character.”
Explaining further, Wike said: “In 2022 to 2023, Fubara ran under PDP. That was when Tonye Cole ran under APC. He didn’t run against me. He doesn’t have what it takes. He knows. He was not a candidate. Ask him now. Was his name in the ballot? He was not. Will you run when your name is not in the ballot?”
When asked if he was “putting fire in their house,” Wike replied: “Putting fire in my enemy’s house? Am I to help my enemy to grow? What is democracy? My enemy doesn’t want to follow the law, and the law caught up with him. What’s my business?”
He continued: “But anyway, so they don’t want me to say what I’m supposed to say. That’s how you know characters. Tonye Cole, I would have put him in jail. As governor.”
Pressed on what offense Cole allegedly committed, Wike said: “Oh my God. These were people who crippled the resources of the state with Amaechi.See, More, Here>>>>
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