Tonye P. Cole has announced his withdrawal from the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries scheduled for tomorrow.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Cole said the decision was taken in the overriding interest of peace, reconciliation, and the supremacy of the party following extensive consultations.
“I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries,” Cole stated.

Cole, who described himself as a committed democrat and advocate for strong institutions, pledged his full support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the end of the primaries.

“This decision was not made lightly. It is the product of deep reflection, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the stability, growth, and success of our great party and our beloved state,” he added.

The aspirant expressed profound gratitude to his teeming supporters, including party faithful, women groups, youths, elders, and well-meaning Rivers people who stood by him throughout the process.

He urged all his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, and to fully cooperate with the leadership of the party.

“Let us unite and work together to secure victory for our President, our party, and all APC candidates in the 2027 General Elections,” Cole said.

The stakeholders and leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have assured a frontline aspirant for the governorship ticket of the party, Chief John Okiyi Kalu of their total support as the Guber primary election approaches.

The assurance was made when Kalu, a former Commissioner for Information, who equally served as a Commissioner for Trade and Investment, paid a visit to the stakeholders in Umuahia, where he presented his intentions to them, and they responded.

According to Kalu, he came to seek the support of the party members in the Abia Central Senatorial District because he is sure that he came out to win and not to negotiate with anyone for payment.

Kalu equally urged the stakeholders, leaders and members in Abia Central to give him their absolute support, as he will not betray a party he has been a strong part of since 1999.

The former commissioner for information said that he is the only true party man in the race, as he has never in the history of his life doubted the PDP or tried to betray the PDP.

He urged the members to be careful while making their choices so that they would not use their hands to choose a man who would betray the party in the middle of the race, just to benefit their paymasters who called them to cause distraction.

Kalu urged the stakeholders to realise that the ticket he is seeking is the ticket of every PDP member, stressing that when they allow themselves to be deceived by non-party people, it will not be good for the history of the party.

Responding to his request, the Ikwuano PDP Chairman, Okechukwu Azundu, said that the Ikwuano LGA, one of the LGAs that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District, is fully behind a party man like Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, who has come out open with nothing to hide.

Azundu said that Ikwuano has fully agreed with John Okiyi-Kalu, stressing that they are with him, as they are now hopeful that their party, the PDP, is back and still alive.

Umuahia North Chairman, Omesue Bright Chidi, equally said that his LGA will go with Chief John Okiyi-Kalu and encouraged him to continue with what he is doing, as they are solidly behind him for standing fully with the party.

Barr Chris Amaefula, Chairman, Umuahia South, also assured Chief John Okiyi-Kalu of the full support of the PDP members and stakeholders in Umuahia South LGA.

A stakeholder of the party in Isiala-Ngwa North, Elder Sam Esindu, equally said they will support Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, whom he believes has worked very hard for the party for so many years.

Isiala-Ngwa South Chairman Nwankpa Okechukwu and his Osisioma Ngwa counterpart, Barr Emeka Onyenso, unanimously gave their support to John Okiyi-Kalu as well.

PDP State Woman Leader Mrs Felicia Ukajianya said that the PDP women are 100% behind Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, stressing that he is the only serious option they have to get close to the government house again.

She gave him the assurance that PDP women will never disappoint him, stressing that the women will stand by him and equally prayed for and encouraged him.

Tension reportedly erupted during the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Ebonyi State after Senator Ken Eze was accused of physically confronting the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Samson Nwafor, at Onueke, headquarters of Ezza South Local Government Area.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the APC primary election for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District when the senator allegedly confronted the NUJ chairman over what he described as unfavourable media reports concerning his political activities and re-election ambition.

Eyewitnesses claimed the argument later degenerated, with some aides and loyalists of the senator allegedly attacking the journalist during the altercation, causing panic among party supporters, journalists, and political stakeholders at the venue.

Following the development, journalists under the NUJ in Ebonyi State reportedly resolved to boycott all activities involving Senator Eze pending further directives from the union leadership.

Members of the union condemned the alleged attack, describing it as an assault on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Eze had not publicly responded to the allegations.