Rivers State: Group call on Tinubu for Sen. Abe’s appointment

Rivers State: Group call on Tinubu for Sen. Abe’s appointment

.Says Wike frustrated Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers State

Coalition of concerned born indigenes under the aegis of ‘Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts’ RSLTs, have called for the unconditional appointment of Senator Magnus Abe for Federal appointment under the current government of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement jointly signed by its coordinator, High Chief Sunnie Chukwumele and Secretary, Hon. Josiah Onoriode, the group observed that Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe appears to have been consciously or unconsciously pushed aside or sidelined in the scheme of things with some suspicious political movements at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking to Nigerian Pilot in Abuja, High Chief Chukwumele, noted that the organisation which is a vanguard of people with conscience over the activities of the political scene in Rivers State, and is endorsing Sen. Abe for political appointment despite his defection from the All Progressive Congress, APC, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, out of frustration by the immediate past Government of Nyesom Wike.

He said, “Though, President Bola Tinubu reserves the right to appoint any River State born indigene into his cabinet but we call on his office to consider Sen. Magnus Abe for appointment at the federal level for the sake of equity, as his track record proves both from the state and the APC, justify his qualification.

“Sen. Abe fought for the battle of the president in the state, even against other political giants as at the time,” said Chukwumele.

“We cannot watch Wike now partially sleeping in the villa while Abe should be doing the job of welcoming people there,” he said.

High Chief Chukwumele, noted that the organisation which is a vanguard of people with conscience over the activities of the political scene of Rivers State, is endorsing Sen. Abe for political appointment despite his defection from the All Progressive Congress, APC, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, out of frustration by the immediate past Government of Nyesom Wike.

The statement also read, “Though, President Bola Tinubu reserves the right to appoint any River State born indigene into his cabinet but we call on his office to consider Sen. Magnus Abe for appointment at the federal level for the sake of equity, as his track record prove both from the state and the APC, justify his qualification.

“Sen. Abe fought for the battle of the president in the state, even against other political giants as at the time,” said Chukwumele.

“We want to put it on record that it is Sen. Abe who single handedly built the political structure for the promotion of Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambition in Rivers State. He was castigated and vilified by majority of Rivers State people who were either supporters of the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or former Gov. Chibuike Ameachi of APC.

“That we know it as of the truth, that the faction of APC and indeed all those sympathisers, who followed Senator Abe into SDP for his gubernatorial ambition and election all voted for Pres. Tinubu.

“That we want to state without equivocation that what is said to be the presidential result from Rivers State should not have been subject of controversy if the last minute alleged obstruction by the former Gov. Wike had not occurred.

“We have further observed with utter dismay the sudden switch of interest of the former Rivers State Governor in the internal affairs of the APC which he fought against for eight years with his regular face at the Presidential Villa since the assumption of office of President Tinubu.

“This we are afraid are efforts geared to unduly influence the President by presenting himself as his main ally in Rivers State. Mr. President must be vigilant to watch the antecedence of such people milling around him today.

“We commend Senator Magnus Abe for voluntarily withdrawing his petition at the Election Tribunal. This we see as a generous gift and gesture to the governor of River State Sir Siminalayi Fubara to settle in to serve the good people of the State.

The group also made a case for the Ogoni people, whom they said are the second largest ethnic group in Rivers State, which have never enjoyed a full ministerial position in Nigeria, since the administration/cabinet of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, where late Dr. GB Leton served as Federal Commissioner several years ago.

They further drew the attention of Mr. President to note that the ‘Ogoni Ethnic Nationality’ have never produced Deputy Governor, or even Speaker of the State Legislature.

“Ogoni land and Ogoni people have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy. We see it as equitable that Sen. Magnus Abe and Ogoni people be compensated, having given up the quest for the governorship of the State.

“We believe that appointing Sen. Abe whose profile is intimidating into President Tinubu’s cabinet will also be a succor to the president’s original believers and followers in River State because if their leader is rewarded, naturally, they are affected.

“Majority of These people should not be faded for interest and people we call, Latter Day Saints’, as they are mere turncoats,” the statement added.

End.

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