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  • Abe: I won’t leave APC

    Abe: I won’t leave APC

    The lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, has said he will not defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party.

    Abe spoke with reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    He said: “Let me say clearly that I am one of the founding members of the APC in Rivers State. I have worked with others and laboured to build the party in the state. The party is a vehicle for the progress, peace and development of the state, within our political expression.

    “APC is not just a political party. APC is more than a political party. APC is an ideologay that Nigerians have imbibed, which is the ideology of change. The believe that a group of people have come together to do things right. That is what APC represents. That is why we are here.

    “In APC, the foundation, the philosophy is that the right thing must be done. So, nobody in APC can stand up in public and say he/she wants to do the wrong thing. It is not possible. In another gathering, people can do that and it will be accepted, but in APC, nobody can do it. That is why you keep hearing Nigerians saying they said change, because people expect that there are standards in the APC that do not exist in anywhere else.”

    The senator also stated that the kind of change that the people wanted would be the one that they would fight for.

    He noted that there would be nothing that would make him to leave expressing the belief that brought him and others to the APC.

    On the division in Rivers APC , the governorship aspirant of the APC in 2015 expressed optimism that leaders of the party would ensure justice, fairness and equity.

    He said: “What is happening in the party (APC), ordinarily, should not be strange. What is making it strange is that certain things appear to be targeted at a particular individual, which should not be so.”

    The senator said the pace of the clean-up of the polluted Ogoni environment was very slow, but lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for their commitment to the clean-up.

  • Amaechi, Abe battle over Rivers 2019 governorship

    Amaechi, Abe battle over Rivers 2019 governorship

    A battle is looming between two former close allies and friends, the Minister of Transport and the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast District at the National Assembly. They are set to clash over the 2019 governorship race. Port Harcourt Bureau Chief BISI OLANIYI examines the intrigues and power play that led to their parting of ways.

    THE Minister of Transportation and the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Magnus Abe who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District at the National Assembly, were bosom friends and close political associates who have worked together. Abe himself once admitted that he has benefitted immensely from Amaechi’s political benevolence. The indigene of Bera-Ogoni, in Gokana Local Government Area, was the Secretary to the Government (SSG) in Amaechi’s administration, between 2007 and 2011. Thereafter, he was given the ruling party’s ticket under the same administration to proceed to the Senate in 2011.

    But, the two of them are now on collision course over the 2019 governorship battle in the state. Before the last general elections in 2015, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State zoned the governorship to Rivers Southeast senatorial district. The other zones, Rivers East and West senatorial districts, have produced governors; either in the new Rivers State or the old Rivers State, before Bayelsa State was created by the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha on October 1, 1996.

    Rivers Southeast senatorial district has never produced a governor since the creation of the state on May 27, 1967, so the APC’s zoning arrangement was hailed as a move to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state. Apart from senatorial zones, there is also the upland and riverine dichotomy in Rivers State. The upland part has been producing governors since 1999, but the riverine part, which also includes Rivers Southeast incidentally, has never produced a governor. That was why Amaechi who is the leader of the APC in the state pushed for a riverine person to succeed him in 2015.

    This led to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives who hails from coastal town of Opobo, as the governorship candidate. But, he was defeated in the controversial election by Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Abe who was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC in 2015 is now insisting that the zoning arrangement should subsist in 2019, so he can realise his ambition of governing the state. But this development does not go well with Amaechi, who recently accused Abe of betraying him, by fraternising with Governor Wike. The minister also accused his former associate of equally fraternizing with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, another arch enemy of the APC chieftain. He concluded by saying that Abe could not be trusted with governorship power.

    The senator believes he deserves the governorship ticket, because he assisted the minister when he was in dire need of help, when he was fighting to recover his mandate after the 2007 election. The battle for the APC governorship ticket between the feuding chieftains, who almost share the same birthday — Abe was born on May 24, 1965, while Amaechi born on May 27, 1965 – is likely to fester as 2019 approaches.

    An ally of Abe, who pleaded for anonymity, stated that when the senator was the Minority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003, then as a member of the defunct All People’s Party (APP), which later became the now defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), with Amaechi as the Speaker for eight years (1999 to 2007), that Abe greatly assisted and supported Amaechi for peace and stability in the House, especially between 1999 and 2003.

    The source noted that when Abe later defected to the PDP and he was made Rivers Commissioner for Information by the then Governor Peter Odili, that Abe and Amaechi closely worked together. He added that the senator was one of Amaechi’s backers when he was fighting to recover his mandate. Amaechi later triumphed and was inaugurated as governor on October 26, 2007, following the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court the previous day, which sacked Sir Celestine Omehia as governor.

    Shortly after Amaechi became governor, he made Abe the SSG and Wike, a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, emerged the Chief of Staff. The then governor later recommended Wike for ministerial appointment in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Some months ago, the transportation minister held meetings with APC stakeholders at the residence of Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro at No. 13, Woluchor Street, Rumukalagbor, Port Harcourt and the house of a former Chairman of Etche Local Government, Reginand Ukwuoma, a lawyer, at Tombia Extension, Port Harcourt. At that meeting, most loyalists of Abe were removed as leaders of the APC at the local government level; a decision Amaechi described as a move to strengthen and reposition the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    In an earlier meeting in Port Harcourt with party stakeholders, the minister had urged aspirants for elective positions in 2019 to hold on and to avoid overheating the polity. But, thousands of party chieftains from the 23 local councils loyal to Abe recently called on the senator to declare his ambition for the governorship ticket on the party’s platform. They declared that political parties exist primarily to win elections, and not to pander to the whims and caprices of individuals and that each person was free to make his/her political choices without fear.

    The APC stakeholders loyal to Abe met for over two hours at Tana Event Centre, King Perekule Street, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Phase 2, Port Harcourt and later issued a six-point communique. The communique was read to reporters and APC stakeholders by a former Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms.

    APC stakeholders who attended meeting include: Senator Wilson Ake, who until 2015 represented Rivers West senatorial district; ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha; and a former Mayor (Chairman) of Port Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo.

    Indications are that Amaechi is going to give the APC governorship ticket to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, once again. An oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who had shown interest in the 2019 governorship race, is believed to be heading for the Senate, to represent Rivers West district. Lulu-Briggs recently defected to the APC from the PDP.

    Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, is, however, determined to be a vice-presidential candidate to a presidential candidate from the North, while grooming an ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, also an Ikwerre as the current Rivers governor, to succeed him in 2019.

    Stakeholders had deliberated on the state of the party in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 general elections. The stakeholders said: “Without equivocation and with the power and support of both the APC’s constitution and the Nigerian constitution, the meeting stated that Senator Magnus Ngei Abe’s eminent qualification to aspire to the office of governor of Rivers State, under our party, could not be questioned.

    “Accordingly, the meeting called on him (Senator Abe) to present himself for the 2019 governorship, under our great party, the APC, as he clearly has the support and approval of a vast majority of our party faithful.”

    The stakeholders also expressed gratitude to members who were genuinely dismayed and broken-hearted and fiercely discriminated against in the party, on account of their political orientation and the style of leadership, which they alleged had been instilling fear and threats for associating with Abe, especially for not leaving the party, but continued to stay on and contribute meaningfully for the advancement of the APC.

    They said: “The meeting drew attention to the deep and strong division in the party, which division, if not checked and resolved, will bode ill for the party’s electoral outing. The meeting strongly urged the State Working Committee (SWC) to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness, if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.

    “The meeting affirmed the right of all party members to have ambition within the party, openly express it, canvass, lobby and rally support for its actualisation, without fear and within the laws and constitution of the party. The meeting insisted that it was only thereby that the party would be built, rather than through the handpicking of candidates, as was done in the past, in line with the change agenda of our great party.”

    Abe was, however, urged by members of the Forum of APC Chairmen in the 23 local councils to call his supporters to order. The council chairmen also pledged their unflinching and unalloyed loyalty to the party, under the chairmanship of Chief Davies Ikanya, and the leadership of the Minister of Transportation.

    Members of the forum, which has as Chairman, Gift Loveday, who chairs the party in Abua/Odual Local Government, had at a press conference in Port Harcourt accused Abe’s supporters of displaying uncontrollable impudence, insult and outright disobedience to the party’s constituted authority.

    The forum said it was not in doubt that the APC would reward all faithful members. The chairmen admonished the leadership of the party not to hesitate to take firm disciplinary measures against all errant members, irrespective of the status of anyone or group involved.

    In an interactive session with reporters, Rivers APC chairman, Ikanya, also urged members of the party to imbibe team spirit and respect the party’s leadership, as it works toward victory in 2019. He assured them of fairness in handling individual and collective interests, as they concerned the growth of the APC. He also urged members, especially at the unit and ward levels, to channel ideas that would help to strengthen participation and boost the party’s relevance at the grassroots.

    Ikanya also urged APC members to take advantage of the commitments of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to strengthen the party.

    At a stakeholders meeting in Bori, Khana Local Government, Ogoni leaders called on Abe to vie for Rivers governorship in 2019 on the platform of the APC. In a communiqué, APC leaders from the council said: “As partners, populous in electoral capacity, but absent in representative leadership, we are pleading with all our neighbours in Rivers State to join us collectively as we ask that an Ogoni son to be considered for governorship of Rivers State in 2019.

    Since the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, Ogoni people have not held offices as chief judge, speaker, deputy governor, and governor. The Ogoni is one of the most populated ethnic groups in the Rivers Southeast senatorial district. We resolved that an Ogoni son should be given the opportunity for governorship of Rivers State on APC platform in 2019. Senator Magnus Abe, an Ogoni son, from Bera in Gokana Local Government, should present himself in this capacity.

    “APC leaders from Khana appreciated the fact that there are numerous Ogoni sons and daughters, who are eminently qualified, but the political investments of Senator Magnus Abe communicated a competitive edge that makes his marketability more appealing. The Khana meeting strongly urged the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness, if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.”

    APC leaders Abe had the support and approval of the vast majority of the Khana people.

     

  • Amaechi, Abe battle over Rivers 2019 governorship

    Amaechi, Abe battle over Rivers 2019 governorship

    A political battle is looming between two former close allies and friends, the Minister of Transportation and the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Magnus Abe who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District at the National Assembly. They are set to clash over the 2019 governorship race. Port Harcourt Bureau Chief BISI OLANIYI examines the intrigues and power-play that led to their parting of ways.

    THE Minister of Transportation and the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Magnus Abe who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District at the National Assembly, were bosom friends and close political associates who have worked together. Abe himself once admitted that he has benefitted immensely from Amaechi’s political benevolence. The indigene of Bera-Ogoni, in Gokana Local Government Area, was the Secretary to the Government (SSG) in Amaechi’s administration, between 2007 and 2011. Thereafter, he was given the ruling party’s ticket under the same administration to proceed to the Senate in 2011.

    But, the two of them are now on collision course over the 2019 governorship battle in the state. Before the last general elections in 2015, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State zoned the governorship to Rivers Southeast senatorial district. The other zones, Rivers East and West senatorial districts, have produced governors; either in the new Rivers State or the old Rivers State, before Bayelsa State was created by the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha on October 1, 1996.

    Rivers Southeast senatorial district has never produced a governor since the creation of the state on May 27, 1967, so the APC’s zoning arrangement was hailed as a move to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state. Apart from senatorial zones, there is also the upland and riverine dichotomy in Rivers State. The upland part has been producing governors since 1999, but the riverine part, which also includes Rivers Southeast incidentally, has never produced a governor. That was why Amaechi who is the leader of the APC in the state pushed for a riverine person to succeed him in 2015.

    This led to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives who hails from coastal town of Opobo, as the governorship candidate. But, he was defeated in the controversial election by Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Abe who was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC in 2015 is now insisting that the zoning arrangement should subsist in 2019, so he can realize his ambition of governing the state. But this development does not go well with Amaechi, who recently accused Abe of betraying him, by fraternising with Governor Wike. The minister also accused his former associate of equally fraternizing with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, another arch enemy of the APC chieftain. He concluded by saying that Abe could not be trusted with governorship power.

    The senator believes he deserves the governorship ticket, because he assisted the minister when he was in dire need of help, when he was fighting to recover his mandate after the 2007 election. The battle for the APC governorship ticket between the feuding chieftains, who almost share the same birthday — Abe was born on May 24, 1965, while Amaechi born on May 27, 1965 – is likely to fester as 2019 approaches.

    An ally of Abe, who pleaded for anonymity, stated that when the senator was the Minority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003, then as a member of the defunct All People’s Party (APP), which later became the now defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), with Amaechi as the Speaker for eight years (1999 to 2007), that Abe greatly assisted and supported Amaechi for peace and stability in the House, especially between 1999 and 2003.

    The source noted that when Abe later defected to the PDP and he was made Rivers Commissioner for Information by the then Governor Peter Odili, that Abe and Amaechi closely worked together. He added that the senator was one of Amaechi’s backers when he was fighting to recover his mandate. Amaechi later triumphed and was inaugurated as governor on October 26, 2007, following the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court the previous day, which sacked Sir Celestine Omehia as governor.

    Shortly after Amaechi became governor, he made Abe the SSG and Wike, a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, emerged the Chief of Staff. The then governor later recommended Wike for ministerial appointment in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Some months ago, the transportation minister held meetings with APC stakeholders at the residence of Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro at No. 13, Woluchor Street, Rumukalagbor, Port Harcourt and the house of a former Chairman of Etche Local Government, Reginand Ukwuoma, a lawyer, at Tombia Extension, Port Harcourt. At that meeting, most loyalists of Abe were removed as leaders of the APC at the local government level; a decision Amaechi described as a move to strengthen and reposition the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    In an earlier meeting in Port Harcourt with party stakeholders, the minister had urged aspirants for elective positions in 2019 to hold on and to avoid overheating the polity. But, thousands of party chieftains from the 23 local councils loyal to Abe recently called on the senator to declare his ambition for the governorship ticket on the party’s platform. They declared that political parties exist primarily to win elections, and not to pander to the whims and caprices of individuals and that each person was free to make his/her political choices without fear.

    The APC stakeholders loyal to Abe met for over two hours at Tana Event Centre, King Perekule Street, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Phase 2, Port Harcourt and later issued a six-point communique. The communique was read to reporters and APC stakeholders by a former Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms.

    APC stakeholders who attended meeting include: Senator Wilson Ake, who until 2015 represented Rivers West senatorial district; ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha; and a former Mayor (Chairman) of Port Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo.

    Indications are that Amaechi is going to give the APC governorship ticket to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, once again. An oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who had shown interest in the 2019 governorship race, is believed to be heading for the Senate, to represent Rivers West district. Lulu-Briggs recently defected to the APC from the PDP.

     

    Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, is, however, determined to be a vice-presidential candidate to a presidential candidate from the North, while grooming an ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, also an Ikwerre as the current Rivers governor, to succeed him in 2019.

     

    Stakeholders had deliberated on the state of the party in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 general elections. The stakeholders said: “Without equivocation and with the power and support of both the APC’s constitution and the Nigerian constitution, the meeting stated that Senator Magnus Ngei Abe’s eminent qualification to aspire to the office of governor of Rivers State, under our party, could not be questioned.

    “Accordingly, the meeting called on him (Senator Abe) to present himself for the 2019 governorship, under our great party, the APC, as he clearly has the support and approval of a vast majority of our party faithful.”

    The stakeholders also expressed gratitude to members who were genuinely dismayed and broken-hearted and fiercely discriminated against in the party, on account of their political orientation and the style of leadership, which they alleged had been instilling fear and threats for associating with Abe, especially for not leaving the party, but continued to stay on and contribute meaningfully for the advancement of the APC.

    They said: “The meeting drew attention to the deep and strong division in the party, which division, if not checked and resolved, will bode ill for the party’s electoral outing. The meeting strongly urged the State Working Committee (SWC) to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness, if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.

    “The meeting affirmed the right of all party members to have ambition within the party, openly express it, canvass, lobby and rally support for its actualisation, without fear and within the laws and constitution of the party. The meeting insisted that it was only thereby that the party would be built, rather than through the handpicking of candidates, as was done in the past, in line with the change agenda of our great party.”

    Abe was, however, urged by members of the Forum of APC Chairmen in the 23 local councils to call his supporters to order. The council chairmen also pledged their unflinching and unalloyed loyalty to the party, under the chairmanship of Chief Davies Ikanya, and the leadership of the Minister of Transportation.

    Members of the forum, which has as Chairman, Gift Loveday, who chairs the party in Abua/Odual Local Government, had at a press conference in Port Harcourt accused Abe’s supporters of displaying uncontrollable impudence, insult and outright disobedience to the party’s constituted authority.

    The forum said it was not in doubt that the APC would reward all faithful members. The chairmen admonished the leadership of the party not to hesitate to take firm disciplinary measures against all errant members, irrespective of the status of anyone or group involved.

    In an interactive session with reporters, Rivers APC chairman, Ikanya, also urged members of the party to imbibe team spirit and respect the party’s leadership, as it works toward victory in 2019. He assured them of fairness in handling individual and collective interests, as they concerned the growth of the APC. He also urged members, especially at the unit and ward levels, to channel ideas that would help to strengthen participation and boost the party’s relevance at the grassroots.

    Ikanya also urged APC members to take advantage of the commitments of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to strengthen the party.

    At a stakeholders meeting in Bori, Khana Local Government, Ogoni leaders called on Abe to vie for Rivers governorship in 2019 on the platform of the APC. In a communiqué, APC leaders from the council said: “As partners, populous in electoral capacity, but absent in representative leadership, we are pleading with all our neighbours in Rivers State to join us collectively as we ask that an Ogoni son to be considered for governorship of Rivers State in 2019.

    “Since the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, Ogoni people have not held offices as chief judge, speaker, deputy governor, and governor. The Ogoni is one of the most populated ethnic groups in the Rivers Southeast senatorial district. We resolved that an Ogoni son should be given the opportunity for governorship of Rivers State on APC platform in 2019. Senator Magnus Abe, an Ogoni son, from Bera in Gokana Local Government, should present himself in this capacity.

    “APC leaders from Khana appreciated the fact that there are numerous Ogoni sons and daughters, who are eminently qualified, but the political investments of Senator Magnus Abe communicated a competitive edge that makes his marketability more appealing. The Khana meeting strongly urged the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness, if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.”

    APC leaders Abe had the support and approval of the vast majority of the Khana people.

     

     

  • APC lawmaker’s suspension against legislative practice, says Abe

    APC lawmaker’s suspension against legislative practice, says Abe

    The lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast, Senator Magnus Abe, has said the suspension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator, Azubike Nwanjoku, is against decent legislative practice.

    Nwanjoku represents Ikwerre.

    He said the suspension was calculated to stifle the voice of the opposition and suppress divergent views, necessary for good governance and sustenance of democracy.

    Abe, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by his spokesperson, Parry Benson, lamented that the actions of the leadership of the Assembly could affect its reputation built over the years.

    The senator urged the House to rescind the suspension and restore his constitutional rights and the rights of constituents to be represented.

    He said: “I have been concerned since I got the news of the suspension of Nwanjoku by a resolution of the House. My concern stems from what the decision portends for the House of Assembly, as it is calculated to stifle the voice of opposition and suppress divergent views necessary for good governance and the sustenance of democracy.

    “Nwanjoku was not given a fair hearing. Neither were the issues against him canvassed to the knowledge of the public. As a former member of Rivers State House of Assembly, I am concerned that some of these actions, at the end of the day, can affect the reputation built for the House by the collective labour of Rivers legislators over the years.

    “The lawmakers must understand that they are not just today’s members, but inheritors of the proud and lofty mandate that has attracted the confidence of Rivers people throughout its existence. Suspension of an elected official is an abrogation of the constitutional right of his constituency to be represented in the affairs of the state.

    “The House of Assembly must rise above parochial partisan divisions and allow Rivers State to find peace. The decision to suspend an elected member, particularly one elected on the platform of an opposition party, does nothing to change the narrative of division and bitterness that has defined our politics. We can and we must do things differently.”

    Abe, a former secretary to the state government (SSG), advised the lawmakers, especially members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to give peace a chance, in order not to overheat the polity.

  • Peterside, APC congratulate Uchendu, Abe, others

    Peterside, APC congratulate Uchendu, Abe, others

    The Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general election, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has described the victory of Chief Andrew Uchendu and Senator Magnus Abe at the Appeal Court as a “resounding and genuine reflection of the wishes of Rivers people, who had clamoured for an APC-led government in the state”.

    Uchendu and Abe had their victories upheld by the Appeal Court, following previous triumphs at the Rivers State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    Peterside said: “The victory of Chief Uchendu and Senator Abe today at the highest court responsible for adjudication in National Assembly cases confirms what we have always known that there is power in unity and that Rivers State, after all said and done, is APC.

    “Our people naturally are progressively-minded, not minding the temporary darkness that seems to envelop our state. What has happened today reassures us of brighter days ahead.

    “I congratulate the people of Rivers East and South East, particularly Chief Uchendu and Senator Abe, for demonstrating resilience in the face of daunting challenges.

    “I appreciate our leader, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his boldness, magnanimity and insight. I congratulate members of APC who, though the signs of where we are going may seem blurred, yet they followed us with unwavering loyalty, dedication and commitment.

    “God will reward every one of you as you see in this time, the ray of hope glow again for APC faithful. Two thousand and nineteen presents us the opportunity to chase away those who have held our state down and strangulated the lofty dreams of our forebears.”

    The state chapter of APC described yesterday’s loss at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, by Sekibo and Olaka as a notice to the PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike to start packing to vacate Govt House, Port Harcourt in 2019.

    Rivers APC, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, noted that the victories of Chief Andrew Uchendu (to now represent Rivers East) and Senator Magnus Abe (of Rivers Southeast) were well deserved.

    It said: “Rivers APC is delighted at the victories recorded by Chief Uchendu and Senator Abe at the Court of Appeal today (yesterday). They are a culmination of the long quest for justice by the individuals directly, the party and our leader, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation minister).

    “Today (yesterday), our position that Chief Uchendu was robbed of victory and attempts were being made to rob Senator Abe of his victory has been confirmed by the Appeal Court.”

  • Abe: I’ll not leave APC 

    Abe: I’ll not leave APC 

    Senator Magnus Abe yesterday said he would not leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite his misgiving about its congress at the weekend.

    Speaking in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Abe said: “Even a child in Rivers State knows that yesterday’s local government non-elective congress in the state was designed by the leaders for one reason only, to prove that those with Magnus Abe have been shut out of the party and they have no space in the affairs of the party.

    “I thank all members of the party who came out to resist that show of impunity. Following the intervention of the Rivers State police command and a commitment that was made by the party in the presence of the police commissioner we decide to leave with the commitment.”

    “We accepted it because over the years the state has acquired the reputation in the country as the home of endless political crisis. So whatever we need to do as a party to slow down that narrative we should do it.”

  • Abe, Peterside disagree over Rivers APC congress 

    Abe, Peterside disagree over Rivers APC congress 

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and the Director-General of  the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, have disagreed over the All Progressive, Congress (APC’s) non-elective congress and election of delegates for the forthcoming National Convention of the party in Rivers State.

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), alleged manipulation of the delegates list by some APC leaders.

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, however hailed the congress, describing it as peaceful.

    Abe insisted the congress that should have produced the delegates did not hold, stating the committee delegated by the national secretariat of the APC to monitor the exercise in the state ended up at a hotel in Rivers state.

    The Senator said: ”There has been no congress in Rivers State. The so-called stakeholders’ meeting in the state on Friday ended in a fiasco.

    “The committee members from the national secretariat of APC did not come to the party’s secretariat on Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt yet people waited for the materials.

    “Nobody should stay in a hotel and use any list for Rivers people. It is clear there was no congress in Rivers State. Whatever has been done will not stand.”

    Dakuku, on his part, praised the Rivers chapter of the APC for the proper conduct of the congress.

    He lauded APC leaders and faithful at various levels and congress officials for conducting a hitch-free exercise, which he said drew commendations across the board.

    The NIMASA chief also commended the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his leadership and the state party executives for transparent coordination of the non-elective congress.

    In a statement by his media team, Dakuku said: “What we are going through in Rivers State is temporary as APC will give Rivers people back their voice and confidence.

    “The journey of making our people part of the development agenda of Nigeria begins with simple democratic exercise, such as the peaceful LGA congress we have just had.”

    The NIMASA chief, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers during the 2015 general election, stressed that the party remained the only credible choice for Rivers people in 2019.

  • Abe: Amaechi remains Rivers APC leader

    The representative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, has declared that nothing will make him to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He described himself as the biggest investment of Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi in the politics of Nigeria.

    Abe, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, described Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, as his bosom friend.  He added that Amaechi remained the leader of the APC in Rivers.

    The senator, who spoke on Sunday evening, after being welcomed by Gokana people, to celebrate his victory at the election petitions tribunal in Abuja, in a petition filed by Olaka Worgu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also insisted that there was no division or crisis in Rivers APC.

    He said: “Let me say clearly for the records that there is no member of our party (APC), including myself, that is disputing the leadership of my friend, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in Rivers State. We are not disputing with him on who the leader of the party is and he will continue to be the leader of our party here in the state, but there are issues in the party.

    ”People are saying that the ambition of Senator Abe to become governor (in 2019) is the problem in the party, that they have asked Senator Abe to wait, let us build the party and Senator Abe refused to wait, he said he must be the governor and he is scattering the party, I want to stand in front of you my people and say that you all know that I do not tell lies and I am not a liar, that story is not true.

    ”The problem is simple. People have said that we get our tickets to become whatever we have become, because the leader (Amaechi) said so and therefore the leader will continue to say who will be what and everybody should wait until the leader said who will be what and anybody who is saying something different is a bad person and a bad member of the party (APC) and so the person should be removed, the person should be suspended, the person should leave the party and we are saying no.

    ”We agree that it was the leader (Amaechi) who gave us tickets and the leader has always pointed people and they have gone, but we also know that politics is dynamic and that change is what our party (APC) offered. If we do not change within ourselves as a party, how can we convince Rivers people that we can change? So, people said no. It is not that the leader will not have a say. It is not that the leader will not have his place, but that we should allow members of the party to make inputs and they are saying that anybody who said that is against Amaechi, he is fighting Amaechi, he is doing this and that to Amaechi.

    ”I am the biggest investment of Amaechi in the politics of Nigeria. I want to repeat for the records that I am the biggest investment of Amaechi in the politics of Nigeria. I am the only returning Senator in the APC in the Southeast and Southsouth geopolitical zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there is nothing that will make me to leave the party and there is no reason for me to leave the party. We are trying to make the party better by supporting our leader (Amaechi) to do the right thing, so that the party can move forward. If we are to be vilified for that, if we are to be crucified for that, so be it. We will not relent and the right thing, by grace of God Almighty, will be done.

    “In Rivers State, it has been 50 years since this state was created and nobody of Ogoni extraction has been part of the leadership of this state at the topmost level, none of us has been governor, deputy governor or speaker of the state’s House of Assembly and people say that it does not matter. I want to stand here to tell Rivers people and to other Nigerians that it matters and we have no apologies to offer to anybody.”

    Abe declared that he was not bothered about the decision of PDP caucus members in Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, to endorse Governor Nyesom Wike last week for re-election in 2019.

     

     

  • Rivers: 2019 governorship race divides Amaechi, Abe

    Rivers: 2019 governorship race divides Amaechi, Abe

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and one of his allies, Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District, are now at loggerheads over the 2019 governorship race in the state. Our Port Harcourt Bureau Chief, Bisi Olaniyi, writes that if urgent steps are not taken by the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the re-election of Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be without a serious challenger.

    THE main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State is currently a divided house. The cause of the division in Rivers APC is the face-off between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe.

    Abe, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), who is a returning senator, having been first elected into the Senate in 2011, was a governorship aspirant of the APC in 2015, but the ticket was won by a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the current Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, had told Abe, he did not inform him (Amaechi) of his (Abe’s) governorship ambition early. He therefore urged him (Abe) to return to the Senate. This he did through last year’s December  rerun.

    In order to avoid the mistake of 2015, Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) when Amaechi was governor, met early this year with the Transportation Minister and informed him of his 2019 governorship ambition, but Amaechi, allegedly told him that he would not support him, without giving any reason.

    The senator an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area and the Transportation Minister, who hails from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, had been very close friends, especially from 1999.

    In 1999, Abe and Amaechi were elected into the Rivers House of Assembly. The lawyer (Abe) emerged as the Minority Leader, then as a member of the now defunct All Peoples Party (APP), which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), while Amaechi was elected as the Speaker of the House.

    Amaechi was re-elected in 2003 and he continued as Speaker till 2007 while Abe could not return to the Rivers State House of Assembly, but he was appointed as Commissioner for Information by the then governor, Dr. Peter Odili.

    Shortly after Amaechi became governor on October 26, 2007, after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment, he made Abe the Secretary to the State Governor (SSG). He moved to the Senate in 2011.

    For the 2019 governorship race, the transportation minister is, according to some sources, is pushing for the emergence of either the Chief Executive of Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole, or an oil magnate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who recently defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the 2019 governorship candidate of the party for undisclosed reasons. However, NIMASA DG Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who ran last time, may still be interested in contesting. A former governorship candidate, Prince Tonye Princewill, who recently defected to the APC from the Labour Party (LP), is yet to publicly declare his governorship ambition.

    On June 15 this year, the Transportation Minister moved to Port Harcourt from Abuja, and held meetings at two locations with APC stakeholders in Rivers State, as part of activities for his 52nd birthday celebration, which climaxed on June 17 with lecture and thanksgiving at an event centre on Ken Saro-Wiwa (formerly Stadium) Road in the Rivers State capital.

    The first meeting on June 15, between 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., took place at the residence of a former Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro, at Rumukalagbor, opposite Waterlines Bus Stop, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, while the second meeting in the evening of the same June 15, held at the residence of the Chairman of Etche Local Government Council, Reginald Ukwuoma, a lawyer, at Tombia Extension, near Royal House of Grace Church, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt.

    In attendance at the meetings were a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of APC, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; Rivers State Chairman of APC, Chief Davies Ikanya; the party’s State Secretary, Emeka Bekee; ex-Chairman of Asari-Toru LG Council, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree; and other leaders of the party in Rivers State.

    On June 16, Amaechi continued the meetings at the Port Harcourt residence of Wokekoro, a former Mayor (Chairman) of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, with members of APC from Obio/Akpor, Etche, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Port Harcourt City LGAs, among others, where it was announced that some APC leaders described as core supporters of Abe, have been removed as leaders of the party in their local government areas.

    A former Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, was removed as leader of APC in Port Harcourt City LGA and replaced with Wokekoro, with ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, who hails from Obio/Akpor LGA, also replaced, while the same fate also befell a former Rivers Commissioner for Education and later Sports, Chief Allwell Onyesoh, of Etche LGA and Senator Wilson Ake of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, among others. The legislator representing Ikwerre/Emohua Constituency in the House of Representatives, Elder Chidi Wihioka, was earlier removed as APC leader in Amaechi’s Ikwerre LGA.

    All Abe’s loyalists who were removed by Amaechi refused to attend the meetings of June 15 and 16, but had some of their supporters in attendance and according to sources, they recorded, through their mobile phones, everything that was said by the speakers, especially Amaechi.

    According to some of the people that recorded the speeches, while addressing the stakeholders in the residence of Wokekoro on June 15, the Transportation Minister allegedly stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Hajia Aisha, could not force him to endorse Abe as the 2019 Rivers governorship candidate of the APC.

    Amaechi, who was Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for two terms, also declared that the senator (Abe) would not be Rivers State governor in 2019.

    He said: “I have foreclosed Abe’s governorship ambition, as far as Rivers APC is concerned. If he likes, let him run to President Buhari that will not change anything. If he likes, let him go to the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, nothing will change.

    “In my capacity as the leader of the APC in Rivers State, Abe cannot be the governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State in 2019. Abe has no character. I hear APC executives of about 15 LGAs (out of 23 LGAs) of Rivers State are already working for him (Abe). I will see how far they will go.

    “I am the only one that can determine who gets the party’s governorship ticket in 2019. Suddenly, Abe has become something else in the party, because he won his senatorial election. Was I not Rivers State Governor for eight years? Was I not Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years?”

    The Transportation Minister also allegedly threatened that he would suspend any APC leader/member that was confirmed to be supporting Abe’s candidature for the 2019 governorship race, insisting that he remained the leader of the main opposition party in Rivers State, while stressing that even if the 23 LGA chairmen of the APC in Rivers support the senator (Abe), it would not change anything.

    Amaechi said: “As the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I submitted his (Abe’s) name to former Governor Peter Odili for appointment as SSG, but Dr. Odili turned down my request. I still submitted his (Abe’s) name to the then Governor Odili for appointment as Finance Commissioner, but the name was rejected. Dr. Odili, during his second tenure, eventually made him (Abe) the Commissioner for Information.

    “I appointed him (Abe) as SSG in my first term as governor, because I wanted to fulfil my promise to him. I recommended that he should move to the Senate in my second tenure.

    “Because I now operate from Abuja, Abe has expanded his tentacles all over the place (Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria). Just imagine people, who are not even politicians, are now telling me that it is only Abe that can win the governorship seat for the APC in 2019.

    “I am waiting to see how they will make him the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State in 2019. We have the National Working Committee (NWC). We also have the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. No one will deny that I have made enormous sacrifices for the party to get to where it is today.”

    While further speaking at Okwuoma’s residence in Port Harcourt in the evening of June 15, Amaechi could not hide his decision not to support the former Rivers SSG (Abe).

    Amaechi said: “Abe is a treacherous politician, who is now fraternising full-time with my political enemies in Rivers and Lagos States, as well as Abuja politicians, who are always willing to flaunt their new-found political titles and connections.

    “I know Abe is a Senator, but I also know that he is fraternising with my political enemies like the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. If Abe likes, let him come to Rivers State with the leadership of the National Assembly or that of the APC. I, Amaechi, will not support him for governor in 2019.”

    While reacting in Port Harcourt, Abe’s Spokesperson, Parry Benson, described the senator as a consistent politician with character who had never been treacherous.

    Benson also maintained that Abe was an adherent to democratic principles, stating that anybody who tried to crucify the senator, as a result of his belief, was on his own.

    Abe’s spokesperson urged APC leaders, especially in Rivers State, to adhere to the dictates of the constitution of the party, before taking decisions.

    Benson said: “APC is a vehicle for the realisation of the Nigerian dream and not a weapon to mete injustice on its members.”

    Rivers APC chairman, later realising that details of the meetings of June 15 and 16 in Port Harcourt with the Transportation Minister, with him (Ikanya) in attendance, had been made public, tried to do damage control, but it was too late.

    Ikanya said: “Our attention has been drawn to all the hullabaloo, fake news and mostly distorted, inaccurate and misleading reports about a non-existent crisis, due to some purported changes in the leadership of the APC in Rivers State. This is not true, entirely false and misleading.

    “All members of the APC leadership in Rivers State are intact. From our ward officers to state party executives, no one has been removed or suspended from office.

    “We are aware that our leader, the leader of the party in Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is making some changes in his personal political group, team or caucus in the state. It is his right and prerogative to make any leadership change within his own political team, group or caucus.

    “Amaechi created the caucus, team or group, appointed its members and leaders and so can make any change he deems fit with his personal group, team or caucus, but we must emphasise that these changes by the Honourable Minister of Transportation within his personal political team, group or caucus have absolutely nothing to do with the party’s leadership structure and do not affect the party leadership structures at all levels in Rivers State.

    “Contrary to the fake, wild speculations and deliberately misleading insinuations, no member of the party in the state is being stopped or prevented from having ambition or wanting to seek any elective office. We must reinstate that no APC member will be stopped or prevented from seeking any elective office. We know for a fact that as a consummate democrat, our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has not and will not stop, prevent or even attempt to discourage any party member from seeking any political office, elective or otherwise.

    “As a truly democratic party, APC in Rivers State will ensure a level-playing field for all its aspirants to any elective political office. In accordance with our party’s rules, regulations and constitution, we shall be fair to all aspirants and we will always ensure that the process leading to the emergence of our candidates for all elective political offices is free, fair and credible.”

    Rivers APC chairman also stated that since it was just halfway into 2017 and campaigns for the various 2019 elections were yet to commence, he noted that it was the time to join hands, come together and work in harmony to build a stronger and better APC that would defeat the opponents at the polls in 2019.

    Close sources to Amaechi confided to The Nation that most of the statements attributed to the minister in the reported caucus meetings were not true. According to the source, Amaechi has not come out to tell anybody he is not supporting Abe’s governorship quest. All that he said was what he had always maintained, which is that all the aspirants should keep their aspiration until December so that APC in the state will concentrate on building the party ahead the forthcoming governorship race. The source also said claims that some people recorded proceedings in the alleged caucus meetings cannot be true since no member is allowed to attend the meeting with his or her phones. According to him, anybody that claims to have such recording should be bold enough to present it in the open. The truth is that Amaechi never said those things they  claim he said.

    Way forward

    The denial of APC state leadership and that of the immediate stakehol;ders notwithstanding, The Nation learnt that there is fear amongst APC members that the face-off may affect the fortunes of the party negatively. They therefore pleaded with the party top hierarchy to step in and resolve the problem before it will get out of hand. Already, some Ogoni stakeholders have reportedly alleged that the plan to stop Abe is a plot to stop Ogoni, which has never produced either a governor or deputy governor in the state since the state was created.

    Given such reactions, it has become obvious that the members and leaders of the PDP and other opposition political parties will ultimately capitalise on the crack in Rivers APC to make some political gains.

    Concerned members of the party are pleading that the earlier the crisis is resolved, the better, even as they urge APC’s national leaders to ensure that there is a level-playing field for all aspirants.

  • Rivers APC won’t dump Buhari, says Abe

    Rivers APC won’t dump Buhari, says Abe

    Senator Magnus Abe who (Rivers South) on Thursday said  that the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will not dump President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking in Abuja when while receiving leaders of various legislative assembly from Rivers State, Abe called on waring parties in Rivers APC to unite.

    The lawmaker also called on the National Judicial Council Commission (NJC) to intervene in the prolonged local government case, currently pending in court.

    Abe said, “Port Harcourt is so unsafe so people are coming to Abuja. Let us face the issue. I am not shying away from anything. Whatever I have set out to do, I will do it.

    “The case of local government issue in Rivers State has been pending in the court for almost two years. I urge the judiciary to hurry up.

    “The last time they were to sit, the Rivers State Government said they were renovating the courts. They went and removed the roof.

    “This was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the case. I am urging the NJC to intervene the same way they did with judges facing trial.

    “We have over fifteen pending cases in Abuja. We are praying that the matters will be resolved in our favour. For me, the whole issue bedeviling APC in Rivers State is not a big deal.

    “We have to remember that we are members of the party. Any disagreement can be resolved in-house. Rivers APC is for Buhari and the direction of the Federal Government is where we will go.

    “Today, we cannot do business in Rivers State. The growth that should stimulate prosperity is dropping. There is insecurity in Rivers State and the trend is worrisome”.