Former senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, has said it is contradictory for anyone to claim loyalty to President Bola Tinubu while openly confronting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Abe made the statement while expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing him as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), a move widely seen as a subtle message to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the deepening political rift between the governor and Wike.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Abe described President Tinubu as a leader who values loyalty and rewards competence. He pledged his continued allegiance to the President and also openly acknowledged Wike’s political support.
Referring to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, Abe praised Wike for his role in delivering the state to Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress during the 2023 general elections, warning against what he described as political ingratitude.
He said, “Let me thank the ‘001 of the Tinubu political family in Rivers State’, the FCT Minister, the man who achieved what no other politician has been able to do by delivering Rivers State to Tinubu and the APC in one of the most difficult elections in Nigeria’s history.
“No one can claim to love Mr President and be ungrateful to our ‘Mr Project’. His support at a critical time was central to our success and remains key to the strength of the Renewed Hope family in Rivers State.”
Abe described President Tinubu as “a father who rewards genuine loyalty and promotes competence,” adding that he would remain firmly committed to the President’s leadership.
Speaking on his new appointment, Abe said the role offers him a rare opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation, particularly in the vital oil and gas sector.
“My appointment as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has given me a unique chance to contribute meaningfully to national development and once again highlights the President’s exceptional leadership qualities,” he said.
Abe also dismissed claims that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, arguing that Tinubu’s leadership has instead earned the confidence of Nigerians across political divides.
“Nigeria is not becoming a one-party state. Nigerians have simply found in Tinubu a leader they can trust,” he added.
He further expressed personal gratitude to Wike, whom he fondly referred to as “Nyerishi,” thanking the FCT minister for his support.
“To my friend and brother, our Nyerishi, my family and I owe you more than words can express,” Abe said.
Abe concluded by urging Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s reform agenda, remain hopeful, and focus on national progress.
“Praise God, ignore the naysayers, pay your taxes, and support the reform agenda. Better days are ahead. The President is doing things differently, and the numbers are beginning to show that Nigeria is on the right path,” he stated.
Abe and Wike share a long, complex political history in Rivers State, marked by both cooperation and rivalry. Once a close ally of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Abe later parted ways with him during internal APC crises and aligned with Wike during key political moments, particularly in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.
Though he did not formally contest under the Peoples Democratic Party, Abe publicly backed Wike’s political structure and played a significant role in mobilising support for Tinubu in Rivers State, a move that proved decisive in securing the state for the APC despite Wike’s PDP background.
Since Tinubu’s victory, Abe has increasingly aligned himself with Wike’s political camp, even as tensions between the FCT minister and Governor Fubara continue to escalate.
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