Abe Accuses Rivers Politicians of Anti-Party Activities in 2023 Elections

Claims Support for Fubara is Driven by Personal Gain

 

Senator Magnus Abe, the former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, has claimed that all major politicians in the state engaged in anti-party actions during the 2023 general elections.

In a scathing critique, Abe accused those supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara of doing so not out of genuine devotion to the state, but for their own personal interests and to further their individual political ambitions—especially their goal of weakening the influence of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

Speaking at a New Year luncheon hosted by Wike in Port Harcourt, Abe asserted that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) politicians had sabotaged their own party’s candidates during the election.

He stated, “In the last election, every politician in Rivers State was involved in anti-party activities. With all due respect, I too engaged in anti-party actions. I did not allow the SDP candidate to campaign here, and when he visited my house, I made it clear I was backing Tinubu. Oga (Wike), you too did anti-party. You were open about supporting Tinubu instead of the PDP’s presidential candidate.”

Abe continued: “The current governor, Fubara, also engaged in anti-party activities. He supported you and did not back the PDP’s presidential candidate. The PDP leaders who support Fubara now didn’t back the party’s governorship candidate; instead, they supported the APC candidate. Similarly, the APC leaders also did not back their own presidential candidate but threw their support behind the PDP candidate. Everyone was involved in anti-party actions, but the only one that people are talking about is Wike’s, because he succeeded where others failed.”

The former Senator, who represented Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, argued that those backing Governor Fubara were not motivated by a love for Rivers State, but were instead using him as a tool to weaken Wike.

He said, “No one is supporting Governor Fubara because they have a deep affection for Rivers State or its governor. They are aligning with him because they see him as a means to achieve their political objectives—particularly their goal of bringing down Wike. These politicians are driven by their own interests. If, in the future, Fubara is no longer able to help them with this agenda, they will quickly abandon him and find another ally.”

Abe urged Fubara to be cautious of those around him and advised him to seek collaboration with true patriots who have the best interests of the state at heart. He concluded, “Politicians need to unite for the good of Rivers State. Governor Fubara must work with genuine patriots before it is too late to protect the state from looming challenges. A single governor cannot unilaterally declare legislative seats vacant. He must work with others who genuinely care about the state’s future.”