Tonye Cole also said Rivers lawmakers’ action will only make people bleed, noting that no investor will come to the state
By Kehinde Okeowo
All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023
governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has said the locking out of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the state’s lawmakers is a “declaration of war”.
He made this known recently while featuring on an Arise TV programme, where he further stated that the legislators, by their action, were indirectly telling the governor he had no powers.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Governor Fubara was locked out of the legislative quarters of the Rivers Assembly on Wednesday upon his arrival to re-represent the 2025 Budget as demanded by the 27 lawmakers led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule after the epic verdict of the Supreme Court on February 28.
Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers are known to be loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and the immediate past Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara, who addressed reporters after he was denied access to the legislative house, said he communicated his plan to be at the quarters to Amaewhule.
The Rivers State Government also shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s visit.
Speaking during the interview with Arise TV, Tonye Cole, who is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director, Sahara Group, noted that the action of the lawmakers would only make the people bleed.
According to him, no investor will come to the state after such behaviour.
He said, “I’m looking forward to the day when we will be called to come and discuss progress in Rivers State, how Rivers State has turned into an economic Mecca. and everyone is coming and businesses are coming.
“What you are seeing today is pure power play, and at the end of the day, the people suffer, River State suffers.
“We’re not going to get any investment coming into Rivers State at this point.
“So, the governor being locked out is purely a statement being made to him that, yeah, you may have the title of Governor but he doesn’t govern this State.
“The power has shifted, and that’s what’s been said loudly and clearly. And I don’t think it’s good. It doesn’t portend well for us, indeed. And it doesn’t look good at all.”
