Tonye Cole on Wednesday formally withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State governorship primary election, confirming what many political watchers had anticipated following the wave of high-profile exits rocking the contest.
Cole’s withdrawal comes on the heels of similar decisions by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Chukwuemeka Chinda, and Tonye George-Kelly, painting a picture of a rapidly consolidating primary race.
The serial withdrawals have raised fresh questions about behind-the-scenes negotiations and the extent of political pressure being applied within the Rivers APC structure, widely believed to be heavily influenced by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
With Cole now out of the running, the field has narrowed significantly, leaving Wike-backed Alabo as the overwhelming frontrunner for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
Cole had been widely regarded as one of the more formidable challengers in the primary, making his exit one of the most consequential withdrawals in the unfolding drama.
Further developments are expected as the primary exercise progresses.
CDA News Nigeria will continue to bring you live updates as the story develops.
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