The 2023 Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Tonye Cole, has filed a legal complaint against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, demanding ₦20 billion in damages for alleged defamation.
Cole, through his legal counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), issued a letter dated October 8, 2025, accusing Wike of making false and damaging statements during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, aired on September 18, 2025.
The letter alleges that Wike publicly described Cole as a “thief”, accused him of stealing state resources, and claimed he sold Rivers State’s gas assets for $308 million — all without providing any proof.
“The words you used… portrayed our client as a thief, a dishonest and fraudulent person, an economic saboteur, and a morally bankrupt man,” the letter from Okutepa’s chambers stated.
According to the legal team, the broadcast was aired nationally and internationally, and is still available on Channels Television’s YouTube channel, where it continues to attract views and cause reputational harm to Cole.
Cole’s lawyers are demanding a public apology, a written retraction, and ₦20 billion in compensation for the harm caused to their client’s image and mental well-being.
They are also insisting that Wike:
Issue a live public apology on Channels Television;
Publish the same apology in at least three national newspapers;
Provide a written undertaking to desist from making further defamatory remarks.
The letter gave Wike a 14-day deadline from the date of receipt to comply, failing which legal action would be taken.
“Your actions were reckless and malicious. They lacked any legal or factual basis,” Okutepa added, describing Wike’s conduct as one done in bad faith.
Tonye Cole was the APC’s governorship flagbearer in the 2023 elections in Rivers State, a race that was largely shaped by the deep rivalry between the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by then-governor Wike.
Wike, who now serves in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as FCT Minister, has continued to be a controversial figure in both state and national politics, often making strong public statements about political opponents.
Cole, a businessman and co-founder of Sahara Group, has maintained his innocence, stating that the allegations are politically motivated and completely false.
He claims that the public remarks made by Wike on national television have not only damaged his reputation and business interests, but also affected his family and personal dignity.
At the time of filing this report, Nyesom Wike has not issued any official response to the allegations or the demands made by Tonye Cole’s legal team.
If Wike fails to meet the demands within the 14-day period, Cole’s lawyers say they will proceed to court to file a formal defamation lawsuit.
