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(By Chris K.Amadi)-Stakeholders of the All progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State who are representing over 15 Local Government Areas have publicly declared their support for Senator Magnus Abe to fly the party’s governorship flag in 2019.
The resolution of the progressive politicians, which was contained in a communiqué made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt leaves in the cold the defeated governorship candidate of the Rivers APC in 2015, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who is currently serving as Director General of NIMASA.
The stakeholders, who defied open opposition to Abe’s aspiration from a section of the party, and who believe that the senator is better placed to succeed where Dakuku failed, are distinguished politicians who had served the state as former commissioners, and in other capacities during the administration of Rt.Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
Among the progressive politicians were Senator Wilson Ake, Hons. Chidi Wihioka federal law maker representing Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency (where Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria’s Transportation minister comes from); Allwell Onyesoh, Felix Nweke, Wogu Boms, Tony Okocha, Marcus Nle-Eji and many others.
The open declaration of support for Abe’s candidature is seen by observers as a preamptive move by the stakeholders to checkmate a repeat imposition of an unpopular candidate, which led to the loss of the governorship election in 2015.
In the communiqué, the stakeholders urged Senator Abe to declare his intension to contest for the governorship ticket of the APC in Rivers State, stressing that he remains the best candidate if the party is desirous of winning the 2019 election in the state.
Meanwhile, Hon. Wogu Boms, attorney general and commissioner for justice in Amaechi’s second term, has called on the party leadership not to victimise members of the group for openly declaring their support for Senator Magnus Abe.
In his response, the APC publicity secretary in the state, Chris Finebone, said the action of the stakeholders was an internal party affair, and that it will be dealt with accordingly through established machinery.
The open declaration of support for Senator Magnus Abe’s candidature in 2019 has automatically pitched the stakeholders against the leader of the party in the state, Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria’s Transportation minister, who is widely reported as saying that Senator Magnus Abe cannot be governor under his watch over allegations of disloyalty and ingratitude.
How the whole of this plays out is yet to be seen, but there are indications that Senator Abe may be the single factor that will determine the fortunes of the Rivers APC in 2019.
Although there are speculations that the Ogoni- born politician might be persuaded to return to the senate for a third term, or nominated for ministerial appointment in order to allow the party leader hand the governorship ticket to a preferred candidate, but only time will tell who will get what, and how.
