Senator Magnus Abe says his emergence as the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, is a victory for democracy.
Abe who spoke exclusively to the Port Harcourt Telegraph Sunday said his victory at the primaries of the SDP belonged to the Rivers people.
The Ogoni-born politician who has for months insisted that his name would be on the ballot was asked what his emergence as a candidate means.
According to Abe, his emergence as a candidate is not for him, a personal attainment.
He said it was not only a victory for democracy, but also proof of the fact that democracy cannot strive effectively if people are not allowed to nurse their own aspirations.
“First of all, I don’t see this as a personal victory. I see It as a victory for democracy“, Abe remarked.
“In a democracy, the most important thing is, people as individuals, should have the opportunity to express themselves – their visions, their aspirations and their hopes. That’s the hallmark of democracy.
“And then the people as a collective, should also have the opportunity to make choices; choose between different parties and choose a direction that is convenient, comfortable and acceptable to them”, the gubernatorial candidate stressed.
The Telegraph will bring more details of its interview with Senator Abe to its numerous readers online and on the newspaper stands.
Meanwhile, wild jubilations have broken out among supporters of Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers State, following reports that their political icon is now one of the candidates whose faces will be on the ballot.
Abe polled 30 valid votes to win Saturday’s primaries organized by the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
Reports say officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were on hand to monitor the exercise in line with the prescription of the Electoral Act.
With Abe’s entry into the race, many who are monitoring unfolding political developments are already talking about the possibility of a three-way race in Rivers.
But political pundits posit that the PDP has a headstart going into the race to come, given its antecedents in Rivers and the performance of the State Government led by Governor Nyesom Wike.