Magnus Abe Admits to Anti-Party Actions in 2023 Elections, Blasts Politicians’ Selfish Interests

Senator Magnus Abe has openly acknowledged that widespread anti-party activities characterized the 2023 general elections in Rivers State, affecting all major political parties. Abe made this admission during a civic reception hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Speaking candidly, Abe explained that these actions were driven by the selfish political ambitions of various key figures, including himself. Abe, who ran as the governorship candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, revealed that he had prevented the SDP’s then-presidential candidate from campaigning in the state due to his personal allegiance to President Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abe expanded on his accusations, pointing the finger at several high-profile figures for engaging in anti-party activities, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, PDP leaders, and APC leaders in Rivers. He explained, “Rivers State did anti-party. Your excellency with all due respect, I did anti-party. I did not allow the SDP candidate to come here to campaign. And when he came to my house, I told him that I was with Tinubu.”

He continued by noting that Wike, despite being a leading figure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was also involved in anti-party actions, notably backing Tinubu over the PDP’s presidential candidate. Similarly, Fubara and other PDP leaders aligned with him had also supported APC’s presidential candidate during the election. Meanwhile, APC leaders in Rivers supported the PDP presidential candidate, further deepening the level of political disarray in the state.

Abe pointed out that these actions were motivated by political self-interest rather than a genuine concern for Rivers State, saying, “It was not because we loved Rivers State or we loved Governor Fubara or we loved anybody. It was because we were trying to advance our political interest. Today that has switched.”

In his speech, Abe also questioned the focus on Wike’s anti-party actions, suggesting that the scrutiny was due to the impact Wike had in influencing the election results. He also reflected on the 2015 political struggles in Rivers State, recounting how some politicians sought a court injunction in Imo State to prevent the transition of power from Governor Rotimi Amaechi to Wike, a move that he had advised against, fearing it would damage Amaechi’s legacy.

Finally, addressing Governor Fubara, Abe cautioned him that many of the politicians currently supporting him are driven by personal political interests and not genuine loyalty, advising him to be wary of such opportunistic alliances.