Former Rivers State governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the state’s top seat in the next elections, pledging to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite political realignments involving his mentor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Cole made it clear that his political focus remains on becoming governor of Rivers State, a position he has unsuccessfully contested twice — first in 2019 and again in 2023. He described his fresh bid as a determined “third time lucky” attempt, stressing his commitment to seeing the project through.
Cole acknowledged that former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, played a pivotal role in ushering him into politics. However, he drew a firm line regarding political direction, stating that while he respects Amaechi’s influence and personal ambitions, he would not follow him into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“ Nobody can take away the fact that he brought me into politics,” Cole said, highlighting the formative role Amaechi played in his political journey. He added that while Amaechi is pursuing his own goal of running for the presidency, his own ambition is squarely focused on Rivers State.
“I have always had a lot of respect for individuals like Rotimi Amaechi and others. I have consistently said he has a goal and ambition where he wants to go, and so do I. I have my own ambition and goals. Where we stand today, he is interested in running for president, and he has gone to pursue that. I am interested in running for governor in Rivers State and I’m staying there,” Cole explained.
His statement appears to dispel speculation that he might defect alongside Amaechi to the ADC, as reports suggest the former governor has been working to position himself for a presidential run outside the APC. Cole’s insistence on staying within the APC underscores his determination to consolidate his base in Rivers politics and maintain continuity with the party that has fielded him in two consecutive elections.
Despite previous setbacks at the polls, Cole has maintained visibility in the political space, leveraging his business background and political connections to strengthen his relevance. His declaration comes at a time when Rivers politics remains deeply fragmented, with rivalries between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition APC continuing to shape the state’s political climate.
Analysts note that his latest ambition could test both his personal resilience and the internal strength of the APC in Rivers, which has faced repeated crises over leadership and factional battles. Cole’s loyalty to the APC may boost the party’s prospects if reconciliation efforts succeed, but observers also caution that divisions within the party could again weaken its chances against the PDP’s entrenched structures.
For Cole, however, the message remains clear: his political mission is tied to Rivers State, not national politics. By distancing himself from Amaechi’s new direction while still acknowledging his influence, Cole has signaled a determination to chart his own path in the state’s political arena.
His renewed bid sets the stage for an intense buildup toward the next gubernatorial race, with Rivers once again likely to serve as a focal point of political battles in the South-South.
