MAGNUS Ngei Abe, the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has declared that the people of Rivers State have a common destiny and heritage.

This is as he said the people of the state reserve the right to determine who their leaders would be, stressing that the state must come first.

Abe spoke on Saturday, February 9, during a victory thanksgiving/reception by federal and state lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State.

The APC legislators include Abe, as well as Barry Mpigi, Maurice Pronen and Chidi Wihioka, the members representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo, Khana/Gokana and Emohua/Ikwerre Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives, respectively.

Others are Josiah Olu; Friday Nkeeh and Mathew Dike, the member representing Eleme, Khana II and Tai Constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly, respectively.

The senator said: “Now is the time to put the interest of the state ahead of anything else.  We must work together, so that the people can benefit from the politics we play.”

In his remarks, Bukola Saraki, Senate president, urged all the aggrieved members of the APC in Rivers State to reconcile with one another and embrace peace.

The Senate president stated that time has come for all APC members in Rivers State to forgive one another and work towards total reconciliation and peace.

He charged Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, chairman of the party in the state, to set the ball rolling by initiating a peace process where all the aggrieved party members will reconcile between one another and embrace peace.

Saraki said: “We want all the APC members in Rivers State to call for peace and reconciliation. What is wrong is wrong. We want peace in Rivers State and we want peace to reign in the State chapter of the party.”

The Senate president commended Abe for his humility and peaceful disposition saying that the presence of senators and other personalities at the event is a clear testimony of Abe’s humility.

He said: “The presence of Senators from across the country as well as other dignitaries at the reception shows that Abe is a very humble person. Abe worked very hard for the party. If not for Magnus Abe somebody will not be in the cabinet today. You are a very loyal and courageous person.”

Also in his remarks, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State called on Rivers politicians and political office holders to always place the state first in all their dealings and ensure the rapid development of the state.

Wike, who stated that this is the time to cooperate as leaders of Rivers State and build the state for the benefit of her people, said, “The State should be the first to be considered at all times. The interest of the state is paramount.”

“When we come together, all we should preach is how Rivers State should be the number one state in the country.”

In his remarks, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State described Abe as a man with a large heart capable of achieving great things for his people and called on Rivers people to unite.

“I see Senator Abe as a man who is going somewhere and desirous to put his people on the pedestal of development.”

Speaking also, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who led members of the national executive committee of the APC to the event, described Abe as a great son of Rivers State.

Tambuwal said: “We constitute part of the delegation of the National Executive Committee of the APC that were assigned by the National Chairman to come and represent the party here on this very conspicuous event marking the celebration and thanksgiving of Senator Magnus Abe’s victory at the polls to represent the able and capable people of his senatorial district at the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are all here to associate with this our great patriot, a great son of Ogoniland, a great son of Rivers State, who has committed himself to the journey of the APC from the beginning.”

– Feb.  12, 2018 @ 17:27 GMT |