APC Chieftain Tonye Cole Defends Political Competition, Asserts Weakening the Opposition is a Global Democratic Norm

APC Chieftain Tonye Cole tells ARISE TV that every party seeks to weaken rivals, and it is up to the opposition to push back and strengthen democracy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 3:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

The Universality of Political Competition

Tonye Cole, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Rivers State governorship candidate, has dismissed criticisms regarding the ruling party's alleged interference with opposition platforms. Speaking on ARISE Television’s "Prime Time" program, Cole asserted that the drive to weaken political rivals is not unique to the APC but is a standard practice for any political party globally. He framed this behavior as a fundamental aspect of political competition rather than an anomaly within Nigerian democracy.

The Responsibility of the Opposition to Push Back

According to Cole, the health of a democracy is not measured by the absence of pressure from the ruling party, but by the strength of the opposition's response to that pressure. He argued that it is the specific responsibility of parties like the ADC to resist attempts to diminish their influence. Cole noted that when an opposition is determined to unite and push back, it brings essential legitimacy to the entire electoral process, ensuring that the ruling government remains accountable.

Embracing Competition as a Tool for Growth

Reflecting on the nature of political rivalry, Cole described himself as a believer in the power of competition. He suggested that facing a strong opponent forces a party to "think smarter" and perform a rigorous self-assessment of its own weaknesses and strengths. From this perspective, the emergence of a more unified opposition is not just a challenge to the APC but a catalyst that could potentially make the ruling party more efficient and responsive to the needs of the electorate.