A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Hon. Ibinabo Michael West, says he has accepted the decision of the leaders of the party on the choice of Tonye Cole as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
According to him, the consensus arrangement was in good faith aimed at ensuring that the APC remain united ahead of the gubernatorial election.
West, a former Commissioner in the state, said in a statement on Sunday that he had wholeheartedly accepted the decision and called on other aspirants, especially those from the Kalabari-speaking areas, to also throw their weight behind Cole.
He said, “The decision taken by our leaders, was made to keep the party united , strong, better and above all, so that collectively we can achieve the desired victory in 2023, which is the ultimate goal of our great party.
“To collectively score this goal, the party in its wisdom, has made the choice of presenting Pst.Tonye Cole as the Consensus Standard Bearer of our great party, I hereby call on all my numerous supporters in the Kalabari kingdom, and the state at large, to support Pastor Tonye Cole and the party, so that we can come out victoriously at the poll in the 2023 general election.
“My cardinal focus from beginning, remains to build a common capacity to reject the ruling People’s Democratic party (PDP), that has greatly brought poverty, unemployment and untold hardship to Rivers People.
“I feel greatly honoured at this point in our political life, that we have made the needed impact through our intensive consultations with critical stakeholders, until the recent decision, which is believed to have been taken in the best interest of everyone.”
He further said, “Today, I charge all eligible members of All Progressives Congress APC, in Rivers State, to give their maximum support, cooperation and indeed other aspirants to throw their weights behind our gubernatorial candidate, Tonye Cole, and the party, so that collectively Rivers State can be rescued from it’s unfortunate situation.
“Let me at this point, thank our leader, the Minister of Transportation and APC presidential aspirant Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, all party leaders, respected stakeholders, LGA party executive, great women of our party, our cherished youth wing and indeed the entire APC family, for the opportunity given to us during our consultations, as I Congratulate my brother, Tonye Cole for emerging as the Standard Bearer for our dear party ahead of the gubernatorial election.”