Tonye Cole, a former gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, has stated that Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor, has aligned himself with the “unauthorised” faction of the APC in Rivers.
In an interview with Channels Television, Cole asserted that the Rivers APC led by Emeka Beke is the legitimate faction of the party.
In December 2025, Fubara abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling APC. The national leadership of the APC also welcomed the Rivers governor into the party.
Fubara received his APC membership card from Tony Okocha, a factional chairman of the Rivers APC.
Regarding the defection, Cole expressed that Fubara has taken a “misguided step” by joining the Okocha faction. He emphasised that Fubara cannot be legally recognised as an APC member until he aligns with the Beke-led faction.
Cole described Fubara’s defection as an “astute political move” that has been embraced by all within the ruling party, including himself.
“I remain the leader of the APC in Rivers state. The reason is clear. There is a legal case brought by the APC faction that elected me as the party’s candidate,” he stated.
“That is the case of the Emeka Beke-led faction, which was won in court, thus recognising the faction as the legitimate APC leadership. That is legal, and I stand by it.
“Anyone else claiming to be chairman or leader of the APC, unless they fall under that faction, is not recognised in the eyes of the law.
“Who is welcoming him (Fubara) to the APC? Who is issuing him the membership card? Where is he registered? Tony Okocha is not a legally recognised faction of the APC, and that is the crux of the issue.
“Even though he (Fubara) is acknowledged nationally as a member of the APC, the group that has welcomed him lacks legal recognition.
“He should come to us. We will acknowledge and welcome him because we possess the legal standing to do so. He is not safe where he is.”
Cole cautioned that the APC must avoid a repeat of the 2019 election crisis, during which the court instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the party’s candidates in Rivers state.
