Rivers Crisis: We’ll Defend 27 Defected Rivers Lawmakers – Abe
– Prepares to work with Wike, Okocha in APC
Credit: MAUREEN DICK, Port Harcourt
Former lawmaker representing Rivers South East Senatorial District and governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has declared that he is not against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but he would defend the defected 27 lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former federal lawmaker explained why he has returned to APC, maintaining that he remains a force in Rivers State politics.
Abe also announced that he facilitated the participation of Nyesom Wike (as Rivers State Governor) in the presidential campaign of the Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the former federal lawmaker said he would work with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and the caretaker Chairman of APC in the state, Tony Okocha.
Senator Abe noted that he defected from PDP to APC as a sitting senator and did not lose his seat.
He said: “We must defend the 27 lawmakers in Rivers State because they are members of APC. I respect the state governor and I am not against the governor. But, I will defend our party, APC.
“The problem we had with Amaechi is no longer necessary. He is no longer the leader of the party in Rivers State. I will continue to follow President Tinubu. We started following him when nobody believed he can become the President. And now he has become the President, we will continue to follow him.”
He said: “I remain a force in Rivers State politics. There is no where in this country that you will mention Senator Magnus Abe that people will not know that name as a force in Rivers politics. All these were because of your support in a very short time.
“We will work with the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike and the state caretaker Chairman of APC, Chief Tony Okocha. Chief Tony Okocha was part of us during our fight since 2016 and today, he’s the Chairman of APC in the state and you say I shouldn’t reconcile with him?
“I tried everything to make Wike a part of Tinubu campaign team. Wike is my friend. In the politics of Rivers State, there is nobody we haven’t offended and if we must work with them, we must reconcile.
“I want you people to trust my judgement in working with Wike. Wike is one person that if he has agreed to work with you will not renege or stab you behind, unlike some other people.
“The President has always said he wants us to work together, and Wike is a minister in President Tinubu Government representing Rivers State. So, if we must work with the President, we must work with Wike, which is good for the overall benefit of our state.”