The Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation has refuted rumors making the rounds that Tonye Cole, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, has portrayed citizens from Bille Kingdom, a community in the State in very derogatory ways.
A statement signed and made available to Africa Update by the spokesman of the campaign organisation Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, explained that such rumors were deliberate attempts by mischief makers to create disunity and bad blood between Cole and those from that community.
Excerpts of the statement reads: “It has been brought to the knowledge of the Tonye Cole Campaign Organization that certain comments made by our Candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, during a live radio programme in Port Harcourt has not been well received by the good people of Bille Kingdom.
“As responsible citizens of this great state who are committed to the welfare and wellbeing of our people, it has become pertinent to address the concerns of our brothers and sisters in Bille, especially where matters that concern them may be interpreted to mean portraying them in bad light.
‘We want to state for the avoidance of doubt that what is trending at the moment does not in any way way reflect the inner intent of Pastor Tonye Cole. What is rather trending is the direct opposite of Cole’s actual intent.
Our standard bearer has respect for the people of Rivers State and the Bille community in particular. He equally feels the pain of the people over a system that has supervised their exclusion from the receipt of basic amenities.
“This is why he took it upon himself to embark on a ward to ward tour in order to have a working understanding of the situation on ground.
Pastor Tonye Cole has, and will continue to preach peace and unity. In the same vein, Cole will work for the equitable development of all parts of Rivers State in order to ensure the betterment of the people.
On behalf of the entire campaign organization, we apologize if the comments complained of have brought embarrassment to people of the Bille Kingdom.”
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