Sell Them Off! – Tonye Cole Urges FG To Privatise All Four Refineries For Nigerians’ Survival

Former Rivers State governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, has urged the Federal Government to privatise all four of Nigeria’s refineries, stressing that they should be handed over to competent managers who can make them productive.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Friday, Cole maintained that government should remain partly involved in the process to safeguard public interest.

He said:

“If I were the federal government today, I would prioritise privatising the four refineries, while retaining a stake to ensure the people’s interests are protected. For the sake of Nigerians, these refineries should be handed over to those who can make them work. We don’t currently have enough refining capacity to meet local demand. Let competition drive efficiency—even NUPENG would be forced to improve under such conditions.”

Meanwhile, Cole has reaffirmed his determination to contest the Rivers State governorship again in the next elections, describing his ambition as a “third time lucky” bid after unsuccessful attempts in 2019 and 2023.

In an interview on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, on Tuesday, he acknowledged that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, played a key role in introducing him to politics but stressed that while Amaechi now pursues presidential ambitions, he remains focused on Rivers State.

Cole also dismissed speculation about leaving the APC, insisting he is committed to the party and will not follow Amaechi to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Nobody can deny that Amaechi brought me into politics,” he said. “But he has his goals, and I have mine. He is chasing the presidency, while I’m focused on becoming governor of Rivers State.”