In a bold statement, Tonye Cole, who previously ran for governor as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, expressed serious concerns regarding the safety of Governor Siminalayi Fubara following his recent alignment with what Cole refers to as a faction of the party within the state. During a recent conversation on Channels Television, Cole emphasized that the group led by Emeka Beke is the rightful leadership of the APC in Rivers, which raises significant questions about Fubara's political future.
Fubara made headlines when he switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2025, a shift that was met with enthusiasm by the national leaders of the APC. After his move, Tony Okocha, who heads a different faction of the party in Rivers, was the one to officially hand Fubara his APC membership card.
However, Cole did not hold back in his criticism, declaring that Fubara's decision to join Okocha's faction was a misguided choice. He insisted that Fubara would not be legally recognized as a member of the APC in Rivers until he aligns himself with the Beke-led faction, highlighting the complexities of party affiliation in the political landscape of the state.
Interestingly, Cole acknowledged that Fubara's defection was, in many ways, a shrewd political maneuver that was largely well-received. But the crux of the issue lies in the legitimacy of his current factional alignment. "Who is truly welcoming Fubara into the APC? Who is responsible for issuing his membership card? And under which faction is he registered?" Cole questioned, pointing out that Okocha's faction lacks legal recognition.
He further elaborated that although Fubara enjoys national recognition as an APC member, the faction that has embraced him does not hold legal status. Cole extended an invitation to Fubara, stating, "We are prepared to acknowledge and welcome him because our faction possesses the legal authority to do so. Right now, he is not in a secure position where he currently stands."
Furthermore, Cole cautioned that the APC must be vigilant to prevent a repeat of the turmoil experienced during the 2019 elections, when a court ruling prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acknowledging the party’s candidates in Rivers State. This cautionary note underlines the ongoing challenges and controversies within the party, sparking the question: How can political factions work towards unity without compromising their individual identities? What do you think about the implications of factionalism in political parties today?
