In a surprising revelation on Tuesday, Tonye Cole, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, expressed the party’s astonishment upon discovering that President Bola Tinubu had appointed former Governor Nyesom Wike and certain members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into his cabinet. Cole, flanked by key APC figures from Rivers State, conveyed this sentiment during a courtesy visit to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who leads the National Working Committee, at the ruling party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

During a press conference following the meeting, Cole emphasized the party’s commitment to reconciliation and urged the President to consider compensating loyal APC members in Rivers State with key positions within his administration. He acknowledged the considerable loss of party members and assets due to political violence following the general elections. Cole stated, “We can only urge the President and leader of our great party to do more for God’s glory and the APC’s good. This includes appointing our sons and daughters to key positions and other forms of empowerment for our members.”

He further highlighted the unprecedented withdrawal of petitions by the party after filing them at the Tribunals, noting the significant challenges faced by the party in Rivers State.

Cole expressed dismay at the appointment of card-carrying PDP members from Rivers State into the APC Federal Government, especially given their history of opposition to the APC. He lamented, “Your Excellency would be shocked that as we address you in this meeting, the Rivers State Chapter of the APC has no representation at any level of governance in our country. There isn’t a single Rivers APC member appointed at any level of the Federal, State, or Local Government.”

In response to the delegation’s concerns, Ganduje assured them that the party would carefully consider their request and present it to the President for prompt deliberation. He stressed the importance of compensation in politics, particularly in the context of reconciliation, and pledged to protect the interests of APC members in Rivers State.

Ganduje also expressed the party’s commitment to rebuilding the APC in Rivers State and keeping the doors open for those who had temporarily left for other parties to return to their original base.

In this dynamic political landscape, the APC in Rivers State continues to seek recognition and representation at various levels of government, with its leaders advocating for the interests of loyal party members.