Former Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has called out FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of sending mixed signals about his political allegiance.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Cole questioned Wike’s continued claim of being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while openly working with and supporting the APC-led federal government.

“Is he APC or is he PDP? As far as we know today, he is PDP,” Cole said.
“We cannot continue confusing the electorate in Rivers State and confusing Nigerians because it is dangerous for democracy. You are in one party, yet controlling another, and that creates a one-party system that nobody clearly understands.”

Wike, a two-term former governor of Rivers State, openly opposed his party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, insisting that power should return to the South. His stance drew him closer to the APC, eventually leading to his appointment as Minister by President Bola Tinubu.

Since then, Wike has repeatedly declared his support for Tinubu, even endorsing his second-term bid.

The controversy over his loyalty comes at a time when the APC recently secured a sweeping victory in Rivers’ local government elections, winning 20 out of 23 councils, while the PDP managed just three—including Obio/Akpo, Wike’s political stronghold where he began his career as council chairman.

Cole warned that Wike’s double positioning undermines democracy and leaves voters in confusion.