Wike likely to be appointed Minister – Tonye Cole

Patrick Tonye-Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State says that the choice of who appointed Minister from the state is the prerogative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

According to Tonye-Cole, the former Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike is likely to emerge for the ministerial position despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He made this known in an interview on Political Paradigm on Channels Television on Tuesday, July 11 stressing that Wike will not take control of the structures in the state irrespective of President Tinubu's decision.

He noted that Rivers APC members are some of the most diehard members of the party and should not be neglected by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“It is the prerogative of the president to decide who and what type of scenario he wants to build.

“He may choose that as a president, you know what, let me create a government that seems to be a unity government, to bring people from different political parties and all of that. That may be one of the considerations.

“It may be that there is this perception that he delivered and I must reward him. I went into a deal, I must reward him. It might be the case.

“Now, whatever the president’s rationale behind that is, I won’t question that.

“What we will do instead, is ensure that whatever happens, he’s not going to take the APC in Rivers State.” He added

Tonye-Cole, on the issue of Wike defecting to the APC, said he doubts such a step will be taken by the former governor, adding that all Wike’s actions are geared towards the 2027 and 2031 elections.

“I have no doubt that Nyesom Wike has a deep interest in politics moving forward, in terms of presidency or vice president.

“So, all of this is all part of his own calculation as to where he is going and what he wants to do,” he said.