Political News in Nigeria Today
Tonye Cole speaks on Tinubu’s choice to pick Wike as Minister
Tonye Cole, an All Progressives Congress candidate for governor in Rivers State in 2023, claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the authority to nominate a minister from the State.
Tonye Cole responded to rumours that Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, might run for a ministerial position when he appeared as a guest on Political Paradigm on Channels Television.
Also Read: Sen Adeyemi loses in court as Ododo wins case regarding Kogi APC primary
Wike won’t lead the APC in Rivers State, he claimed, regardless of the president’s choice.
He noted that Rivers APC members are some of the most diehard members of the party and should not be neglected by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“It is the prerogative of the president to decide who and what type of scenario he wants to build.
“He may choose that as a president, you know what, let me create a government that seems to be a unity government, to bring people from different political parties and all of that. That may be one of the considerations.
“It may be that there is this perception that he delivered and I must reward him. I went into a deal, I must reward him. It might be the case.
“Now, whatever the president’s rationale behind that is, I won’t question that.
“What we will do instead, is ensure that whatever happens, he’s not going to take the APC in Rivers State,” he added.
On the issue of Wike defecting to the APC, Tonye Cole said he doubts such a step will be taken by the former governor, adding that all Wike’s actions are geared towards the 2027 and 2031 elections.
“I have no doubt that Nyesom Wike has a deep interest in politics moving forward, in terms of presidency or vice president.
“So, all of this is all part of his own calculation as to where he is going and what he wants to do,” he said.
