January is usually a month of slow starts and quiet resolutions, but for Tonye Cole, the beginning of 2026 has felt like a declaration.
There is a specific kind of energy he is carrying lately, a mix of urgency and deep-rooted empathy that suggests he isn’t just observing the state of affairs in Rivers; he is actively trying to tilt the scales. In December, it was about relief; January has been about reclamation.
Standing in the Gap
The year and month began with a bold, unfiltered appearance on Arise TV, where Cole didn’t mince words about the political landscape of Rivers State.
To many, he sounded like a man who had finally decided that “polite silence” was no longer an option. He spoke about “stolen mandates” not with the bitterness of a loser, but with the weary frustration of a witness who believes the foundation of leadership is cracked.
In that moment, he wasn’t just a businessman or a politician; he was a voice for those who felt their votes had disappeared into thin air.
When he said, “I am the leader of the APC in Rivers State,” and then went on to justify his declaration, it wasn’t power-hungry; it was succinct, well-thought-out and layered, probably from his prior experience of being disqualified from the polls. The reverberations however shook Rivers State.
But Cole knows that words on a screen are never enough. While the political air in Port Harcourt was thick with tension, especially with Governor Fubara’s surprising move to join a faction of the APC.
Cole didn’t just retreat into the shadows; he leaned in. He challenged the legitimacy of the “warm welcome” Fubara received, not to be a gatekeeper, but to demand a standard of order and legality that he believes the people deserve.
Power in Presence
A few days later, when Port-Harcourt polo club hosted the 2026 NPA tournament, Tonye Cole was out and about- strutting through the fields like a casual spectator and not someone who had heated up the polity a few days back.
Waving to the cheering crowd, taking in the name-calling from the MC, shaking and hugging other VIP’s and attendees.
In a flash, the governor’s convoy arrived; there was a bit of tension in the air. Everyone waited with bated breath as the governor went round shaking guests and got closer to Tonye Cole, but anticlimactically, they shook and muttered a few words and gave the trademark Nigerian politician smile.
A while later, Tonye Cole heads over to the governor’s seat; they exchange a few words and he returns to his seat after brandishing aforementioned smile again.
On the 24th of January, Tonye Cole made another public appearance in Rivers State as he attended the funeral of Mrs Priscilla Queen Nwanediye Mark in Omuchetu, Omagwa, Kelga. Cameras catch him making a quiet, unassuming entrance into St. Martins Anglican Church, Omagwa and sitting amongst people, dabbed in his Rivers attire and wrapper.
Whilst a host of dignitaries’ names were called out and recognised, Tonye Cole stayed silent, taking it all in but as soon as he was noticed, he was uprooted and moved to the front of the church to sit with his fellow high-profile attendees.
During the reception ceremony, we found him seated in the VVIP section with notable Rivers and National names around him; he was seen sharing a table with Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Mike Okpara, Abiye Sekibo, etc.
Just the next day, at the biggest christian congregational gathering in Rivers State, the RCCG annual Holy Ghost Rally hosted at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium in Omagwa, Pastor Tonye Cole was front and center on the stage, with other ministers and Daddy GO himself and took in the adoring crowd when he was officially recognized.
The 250-Strong Promise
For me, the most impactful moment of his January “movement” came with the unveiling of COLE2Learn. Timed for the International Day of Education, it wasn’t just a corporate launch; it felt like an emotional investment.
Cole has been moving through local hubs, making himself seen not as a “big man” on a podium, but as a mentor.
By aiming to empower 250 young people across all 23 Local Government Areas, he is effectively “throwing his weight” into the future. It’s a massive undertaking that says: “I see you. I know you’re tired of being a pawn in political games. Here is a tool to build your own world.”
When you see him talk about this initiative, you see a man who understands that the only way to truly “win” a state is to win the hearts and minds of its youth through tangible growth because in the real sense, what the youths want is a leader who sees us.
As the Cole Tech Yard (CTEC) partners with Learn2Earn to provide a pathway for 250 youths to grow, learn, and eventually develop skills and talents that will enable them to earn, I see it as an investment in the future, a statement to the present and a reminder of the past.
When Nigerian leaders prioritised their people’s wellbeing and development, the most recent being the Kwankwasiyya movement and the scholarships HE Kwankwaso provided for his people while as governor. This is being done before/outside of Government House, however.
A Different Kind of Power
There is a subtle shift in how Cole is being heard. He is no longer just the “Sahara co-founder.” In January 2026, he positioned himself as a civic anchor. Whether he is fulfilling scholarship commitments for students at UNIABUJA or pushing for “youth-led co-created learning,” his movements feel intentional.
He is making himself heard by solving the problems that governance often overlooks. He is making himself seen by showing up in the places where the struggle is loudest.
It’s a heavy weight to bear the expectations, legacy, and a restless desire for change, but this month, Tonye Cole seems more than willing to carry it.
The impact Tonye Cole is making in Rivers State is something our leaders have failed to achieve despite being in office for years. You can literally feel his passion for change and see the enthusiasm in his eyes. This isn’t about chasing clout; he is truly committed to the cause. He is dedicated to making Rivers State a better place for us all.
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