Former APC gubernatorial candidate Tonye Cole critiques the conduct of Rivers State’s recent local government elections urging improved democratic processes Read his full remarks on moving forward amid concerns .
On September 10 2025 Tonye Cole the former All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State expressed his dissatisfaction with the recently concluded local government elections in the state Speaking during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television Cole maintained that the exercise could have been conducted in a much better way He insisted that the process lacked inclusiveness and transparency and fell short of the standards expected in a true democracy .
Criticism of the Electoral Process
Cole highlighted that even though the elections had already taken place his concerns about the conduct of the exercise should not be ignored He stressed the importance of a more open and participatory system that allows citizens to be actively involved in shaping outcomes According to him democracy is a continuous process and must always reflect the will of the people He warned that when leaders choose to ignore public opinion and democratic norms in favor of personal rules they set a dangerous precedent that undermines the entire system .
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Call to Move Forward
Despite his dissatisfaction Cole noted that the elections were already over and it was now time to look forward He urged citizens political stakeholders and institutions to focus on improving future exercises He emphasized that rather than dwelling on what had gone wrong attention should shift to building stronger electoral practices He added that while he did not agree with the manner in which the elections were handled the fact remained that they had been concluded and everyone must now find ways to move ahead constructively .
Context and Implications
Cole’s remarks come at a time when Rivers State has faced repeated controversies over the conduct of elections Many citizens and observers have raised concerns about fairness transparency and civic engagement His statement did not go into detailed accusations but it pointed clearly to systemic gaps that need to be addressed By grounding his comments in democratic principles Cole positioned himself as more than just a critic He emerged as an advocate for reform and a stronger voice for the renewal of Nigeria’s democratic culture .
Conclusion
Tonye Cole’s rejection of the Rivers State local government elections reflects a broader call for accountability and inclusiveness in Nigeria’s democratic journey While he acknowledged that the exercise was over his appeal for better practices and citizen involvement resonated strongly with those seeking progressive reforms His words stand as a reminder that democracy is not a one time event but a living process that requires vigilance fairness and constant improvement As Rivers State and the country at large prepare for future elections his message reinforces the urgent need to protect and strengthen the democratic system through participation transparency and trust .