Magnus Abe

Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-east senatorial district in the National Assembly said he cannot run away from the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, whenever they meet at a public event.

The Senator was reacting to criticisms about his recent picture with Wike taken at a public function.

The Senator, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by his spokesperson, Parry Benson said Wike is governor of all people and residents of Rivers State and thus, must be accorded the respect he deserves.

“As to my picture with Governor Nyesom Wike, I don’t want to go into my personal history with Wike; that is a story for another day. The reality of today is that Governor Wike is the governor of my state. I have always called on the governor to be a governor to all Rivers people without regard to party, tribe or creed and that includes me.

“I cannot say that and fail to acknowledge the governor when I meet him in a public function. What example will I be showing the young ones if as senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I see the governor of my own state in a public function and shun or ignore him because of our differences in party affiliation?

“I am irrevocably determined and committed to the avowed objective of our party the All Progressives Congress (APC) to recover Rivers state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and align our people properly with the centre. We should do that in a manner that respects our core values as a people and enriches our dignity as human beings.”

“By the special grace of God, I won’t cease from doing what I believe to be right. Whenever I can do so, I will always treat people I know with respect and decorum in public. That is my way of letting the world knows that I am the son of late Rev Canon A. L. Abe.”

He also condemned the backlash that has followed his presence at a recent reception held in honour of the senator representing Rivers West District in the National Assembly, Senator ThankGod Ideozu.

“I was surprised to see young people being sponsored to write unprintable things about me on social media because of my presence at the reception held in honour of my friend and colleague Senator ThankGod Ideozu.”

“I have said severally that my friends and supporters should learn from me what I learnt from my late father “inherit and share my friends but make your own enemies.”

“These young politicians are being brought up on a diet of hate towards people about whom they know little or nothing. They are also being taught never to forgive. An unforgiving spirit is dangerous to a happy life. If you know I have done you no harm, please tone it down.”

“Senator Ideozu was Minority Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly and one of the members who actively worked to make me the Minority Leader of the House. He was my colleague in the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner for Finance while I was Secretary to the Government, and today we are colleagues in the Senate. Why won’t I be at his reception if I am invited?,” Abe queried.