Former Senator Magnus Abe, who represented Rivers South-East, has criticized Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his professed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu. Abe asserts that one cannot genuinely pledge allegiance to Tinubu while simultaneously engaging in a political struggle against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Abe made this statement while expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for his appointment as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. This acknowledgment is widely interpreted as a direct message to Governor Fubara amidst the ongoing political rift with Wike.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Abe characterized Tinubu as a leader who rewards loyalty and promotes competence. He declared his unwavering allegiance to the President while also thanking Wike for his support.
In a pointed reference to the political crisis in Rivers, Abe praised Wike’s role in securing electoral support for Tinubu and cautioned against ingratitude towards the FCT Minister.
“Let me also thank the ‘001 of the Tinubu political family in Rivers State’, the FCT Minister, the man who did what no other politician has ever been able to achieve: delivered Rivers State to Tinubu and the APC in the most difficult election in the history of Nigerian politics.
“No one can claim to love Mr. President and be ungrateful to our ‘Mr. Project’; his support at a critical point meant a lot to our success as a family and continues to be pivotal to the success of the Tinubu family in Rivers State, which has formed into a unique rainbow coalition called the Renewed Hope Family.”
Abe further described the President as “a father that rewards genuine loyalty and promotes competence,” adding, “I will never stop following you.”
He indicated that his appointment offered “a great and unique opportunity to contribute to the transformation of our country, especially in the key economic sector.”
He elaborated, “My appointment as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission by the President has not only given me a great opportunity to contribute to the transformation of our country, especially in the key economic sector, but has also demonstrated once again the President’s unique qualities that make him a master of the game.”
“This is why thousands of people like me have followed him (Tinubu) over the years, and millions more are joining. Nigeria is not becoming a one-party state; rather, in Tinubu, Nigerians have simply found a leader that all can trust.”
Abe expressed personal gratitude to Wike, referring to him as “our Nyerishi.”
“To my friend and brother, our Nyerishi (referring to the FCT Minister), thank you. My family and I owe you what words cannot express. Thank you, sir,” he said.
He concluded by thanking God for the opportunity and urging Nigerians to support the President’s reform agenda.
“To all my friends and well-wishers across the land, just praise God, ignore the naysayers, pay your tax, and support the reform agenda. Better days are coming for our country. Today, the President is doing things differently, and the numbers are beginning to show that Nigeria is on the right course,” Abe added.
Wike and Abe have maintained a long-standing but complex political relationship in Rivers State, characterized by periods of both alliance and rivalry.
Abe, a former ally of ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, fell out with Amaechi during internal APC crises and later aligned with Wike at crucial moments, particularly during the 2023 general elections.
Although Abe did not formally contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he supported Wike’s political structure and joined efforts to mobilize support for President Tinubu in Rivers State—an approach that was vital in delivering the state to the APC despite Wike’s PDP affiliation.
Since Tinubu’s victory, Abe has increasingly positioned himself within Wike’s political camp, frequently defending the FCT Minister and aligning with Wike’s “Renewed Hope” coalition in Rivers, even as tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have escalated.
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