A former governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has stated that political parties have lost their significance in the state.
In an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Cole emphasized that the foundation of political parties in the region has been severely undermined.
According to Cole, individuals affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party can easily switch to the APC, or vice versa, without facing any backlash.
He noted that this fluidity of party membership reflects a broader collapse in the integrity of political parties in the country, where party loyalty no longer holds value.
Cole expressed concern over the state’s political landscape, which he described as focused primarily on unending crises rather than progress or innovation. He pointed out that anti-party activities have become widespread, further eroding the core principles of political organizations.
He argued that in Rivers State, political parties no longer stand for their original ideals, and individuals now align themselves with whichever party best serves their personal interests. The fluidity in political affiliation, where PDP members can support APC candidates and vice versa, highlights the absence of genuine political conviction in the region.
Cole suggested that the current situation in Rivers State could serve as an example for the rest of the nation, emphasizing the need for a return to political integrity and a focus on national development. He expressed concern that the lack of distinction between political parties is damaging the nation’s political structure and undermining the trust in political organizations.
Cole said, “I wish Rivers State is being talked about regarding progressives development, inventions and innovations; things that are progressing Nigeria and putting it forward. We just seem to be talking all the time about the political crises that seem to be unending.
“There were a lot of anti-party activities going there. Everybody saw that. The sad news for me in this anti-party thing is that it has eroded the whole foundation of all political parties. Today what you see is that political parties don’t exist for who they are; anybody can be anywhere. You are in the PDP but running for the APC; you are in the APC but running for the PDP. That is totally wrong.
“I suspect that what Rivers is doing today is showing the entire nation that this kind of thing can’t continue. At some point, they have to stand for something.
“Truly the way we look at political parties in Rivers State is that there is no political party anymore. Everybody is just pushing for a single political interest. And they can stand wherever that interest is going to pay them. You can truly be a card carrying member of the PDP and you are moving in Rivers State with the APC and it’s okay Nobody will say anything.
“Nobody knows which party you are. A PDP member is an APC member and an APC member is a PDP member. It does not make sense. It is too much of personal interest and it is eroding the political fabric of the nation.”
