Tonye Cole Pulls Out of Rivers APC Governorship Primaries, Pledges Support for Party Unity

By Ojo Evans 

PORT HARCOURT — Tonye P. Cole has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial primaries in Rivers State, announcing his decision on Wednesday evening ahead of the party’s exercise scheduled for Thursday, May 21.

In a press statement, Cole said the move followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the APC national leadership to discuss the future of the party in Rivers State and the need for a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections. He said the decision came after extensive consultations with his 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,” Cole stated. He pledged his full support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the APC candidate at the conclusion of the exercise.

Cole thanked thousands of party faithful, women groups, youths, elders, and supporters across Rivers State for their loyalty during the campaign. He called on them to remain calm and peaceful, and to cooperate with the party leadership to secure victory for the APC and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The withdrawal removes one of the prominent aspirants from the Rivers APC governorship race, leaving the field open for other contenders as the party prepares for its primaries.