• Senator hails judgment
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described as well deserved, the victories at the election petitions tribunal of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State: Senator Magnus Abe, Chidi Wihioka and Azubuike Wanjoku.
He stated that the judiciary had affirmed what Rivers people always knew, that their votes were rightfully given to the APC.
Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers state during the 2015 election, spoke with reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the victory of Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), was not only victory for the people of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, but the entire state, stressing that the senator had once again deepened the believe in the judiciary.
He said: “The people of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District will continue to stand by the votes they gave to Senator Magnus Abe to represent them in the National Assembly.
“I have always said that APC will win any free and fair election in Rivers State. Our people are today seeing a directionless Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Rivers State government, foisted on us. APC will surely take over Rivers State in 2019.”
The NIMASA chief also urged Abe, Wihioka and Wanjoku not to be deterred in their quests to bring dividends of democracy to their district and constituents.
Speaking on the loss of APC’s Maureen Tamuno and Sampson Egop at the election petitions tribunal, Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, urged them not to lose hope.
Abe described the judgment at the election petitions tribunal in Abuja as victory for all Rivers people.
He also lauded the judiciary on the landmark judgement, in a petition filed by Olaka Worgu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abe lauded the people of Rivers Southeast senatorial district for the massive support.
The senator, in a statement yesterday by his Spokesperson, Parry Benson, urged Worgu and his supporters to join hands with him to move the senatorial district and Rivers state forward.
Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), stated that what should be of paramount concern to every person from the senatorial district was the dividends of democracy, while assuring them that very soon they would benefit immensely for voting for him.
He gave an assurance that he would not discriminate against anyone, stressing that it did not matter whether anybody from the senatorial district did not vote for him.
The senator enjoined the people of the district, no matter the political party they belong, to support him, in order to enable him to get all the benefits due them.
He said: “I want to congratulate the judiciary and all Rivers people. This is a victory for all of us and all those who believe in democracy and due process.
“At this point, l will like to plead with everybody that it is time to let go of this quagmire and give the people of our senatorial district the opportunity to benefit from the dividends of democracy.
“I thank all those who voted for me and all those who did not vote for me. I thank God Almighty who has made all things possible.”
Abe assured that he would put in his best in the service of the people of his senatorial district, Rivers state and Nigeria.