Rivers coalition beg Tinubu to appoint Sen. Abe as Minister
The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint Sen. Magnus Abe as a member of his cabinet.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Convener of the coalition, Chief Sunnie Chukumele, and the secretary, Mr. Josiah Onoriode, on Saturday in Abuja.
The group comprised opinion molders, elders, and leaders of thoughts from diverse backgrounds in Rivers who share the same vision and represent informed and enlightened opinions on issues of interest as they affect the state.
“We lend our voices and contribute to issues based on conviction. We also act as vanguards and engage in agenda setting, feedback, propagation, and promotion of good governance.
“We have observed that Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has been suspiciously sidelined or pushed aside in the scheme of things in the political movement at the Presidential Villa.
“We want to put it on record that Sen. Abe single-handedly built the political structure for the promotion of Tinubu’s presidential ambition in Rivers State. He was castigated and vilified by the people of the state who supported the PDP.
“We know it as the truth, that the faction of APC and indeed all those sympathizers who followed Senator Abe into the SDP for his gubematorial ambition and election voted Tinubu for President,” they said.
The group explained that they also observed with utter dismay the sudden switch of interest of the former governor, Nyesom Wike, in the internal affairs of the APC, a party he fought against for over eight years.
They expressed dismay with Wike’s regular appearance at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since Tinubu assumed office.
“We are afraid these are efforts geared to unduly influence the president by presenting himself as his main ally in Rivers.
“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 the state.
“We pray that Abe’s position as Tinubu’s first and main loyalist in Rivers should not be swapped or shortchanged for another.
“The majority of Rivers people shall be glad to see Sen. Magnus Abe nominated by the President into the Federal Executive Council, which he is about to constitute,” they appealed.
