Senator Magnus Abe has accused ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi of sabotaging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state between 2015 and 2019 to prevent him from becoming governor.
Speaking to party stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Abe, who ran for governor under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023, said he rejoined the APC to support President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition, as reported by The Punch.
He added that he is now collaborating with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Abe also announced his reconciliation with the Chairman of the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee, Chief Tony Okocha, saying they are now working together towards a common goal.
Recalling past incidents, the former lawmaker stated, “Amaechi drove to my house in the presence of my wife in Abuja, and told me that he knew I could win an election but that I should not dare to contest because I did not even have the money to pay delegates. In another meeting at The Dome in Port Harcourt, he (Amaechi) told the elders of the party that if I dared to contest the election, he would destroy the party.”
He further explained the division caused by Amaechi’s preference for Dr. Dakuku Peterside as his successor.
“The whole drama between me and Dr. Dakuku Peterside was unnecessary. Dakuku is my younger brother. It was very clear that Amaechi wanted Dakuku as his successor and that decision divided the state into two, even the party.”
Abe recounted suggesting to Amaechi that Senator Wilson Ake from a majority ethnic group be made deputy governor to Peterside, which Amaechi immediately rejected.
Expressing his comfort in working with Wike, he said, “I’m comfortable working with Wike. I did everything to convince Wike as governor then, to work for Tinubu in Rivers State. Wike is my friend. Today, he is working in the APC government as a minister. We must work together.”
He emphasized the political dynamics, noting that, “Without Wike, Tinubu would not have won in Rivers State working with us alone. This is how Nigerian politics works. In 2027, the North will look at who will come out to contest for Presidency. The North cannot support somebody who will want to run for another eight years. The North will still support President Tinubu to do his eight years.”
Abe also voiced his respect for current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara while affirming his loyalty to his party. He highlighted the shift of 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the state House of Assembly to the APC, supporting their decision to leave the ruling PDP.
Calling for unity within the party, Abe said, “We want peace in Rivers State and we will always call for peace.”
He urged party members to strengthen the APC to play its role as a credible opposition in the state.
However, Darlington Nwauju, a member of the Amaechi faction of the Rivers APC, urged Abe to avoid reopening old wounds. “I think Senator Abe has announced his defection back to the APC. So I think that one of the things the distinguished Senator must learn to do is to avoid opening old wounds,” Nwauju said.
He added, “The grassroots, the ordinary members of the APC in Rivers State, do not understand the justification for the needless Court cases that led to the party being thrown out of the ballot in 2019. He should focus on his brand new relationship. The state of the APC in Rivers State is in factions, thanks to the decision of Ganduje and his National Working Committee who handed over party structure to a member of the PDP.”
Nwauju concluded, “If Senator Abe has chosen to work with an acclaimed PDP man who has not even made his intentions known to join the APC, it is good for him.”
