APC Chieftain Tonye Cole Brands Fubara’s Governorship a “Stolen Mandate” Installed by Wike

By Emmanuel Kwada

Tonye Cole, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship candidate in Rivers State, has reignited the ongoing political turmoil by declaring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s rise to power was based on a “very stolen mandate.”

In a hard-hitting statement, Cole asserted: “The process that made Fubara governor was a very stolen mandate.” He further explained that the persistent rift between Governor Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stems directly from this flawed foundation.

“Until stolen mandates and the way elections are run are addressed, the problems between Fubara and Wike will remain because Wike did everything to make him governor,” Cole said.

Cole’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Rivers State politics as the new year begins. Wike, Fubara’s predecessor and political godfather, has recently signaled a resumption of full-scale political activities starting this month, vowing to “correct” perceived mistakes from the 2023 elections ahead of the 2027 polls.

The APC chieftain’s comments highlight longstanding allegations of electoral irregularities in the 2023 governorship race, where Fubara emerged victorious under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner with strong backing from Wike. Critics, including opposition figures like Cole, have long contested the legitimacy of the process.

The feud between Wike and Fubara has dominated Rivers politics for years, leading to institutional crises, legal battles, and even a brief state of emergency declaration in 2025. Despite intermittent peace efforts brokered by President Bola Tinubu, hostilities persist, with no signs of reconciliation as both camps gear up for future contests.

As reactions pour in, stakeholders call for electoral reforms to prevent such disputes from recurring. The coming months are expected to be politically charged, with Wike’s allies mobilizing and Fubara consolidating his base.