Abe Disagrees With Ex-Gov Peter Odili
● Says Fubara is yet to attain the position of the leader of the Rivers people
By PHC Telegraph
Senator Magnus Abe contenders that Governor Siminalayi Fubara would have to work some more before becoming overall Rivers leader.
Senator Magnus Abe, one-time Secretary to the Government has openly disagreed with the contention of Dr Peter Odili, a former Governor of Rivers State that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the rightful leader of the State.
Abe’s assertion is coming against the backdrop of claims that are making the rounds which suggest that he has succeeded in reconciling Dr Odili and Barrister Wike.
Whereas Odili says Rivers people are of the view that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the absolute leader of Rivers State by virtue of his position, Abe on the other hand argues that the governor who has emerged as the undisputable leader of government would have to earn some more percentage points in terms of performance, confidence, trust and followership in order to emerge as the overall leader of the Rivers people.
Abe who has returned to the APC after a brief sojourn in the SDP however did not say whether the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike who is being dubbed “the leader” in some circles is his preferred choice as the leader of Rivers State.
Speaking on the programme “Politics Night” broadcast on TVC, an independent television station, Abe agreed that Fubara is the Head of Government.
But he said Fubara would have to move from being head of government to being leader of the State.
“Being a governor has made him the leader of the government of Rivers State”, Abe remarked while fielding questions, “But when you say political leader, that is something that you have to work to earn.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara (left) and former Governor Peter Odili, have become major allies.
“To say Fubara is the political leader of Rivers State is a much broader context of leadership, and it takes time to build that kind of confidence, followership, support, and trust.”
“Leadership is all about trust, and sometimes, navigating this difficult water helps bring you out as a leader when you begin to trust yourself and can rely on the direction you provide.”
The Senator observed that it would have to Fubara”s responsibility to inch towards that context of leadership.
According to the one-time Commissioner for Information under the Odili government, “he is the governor of Rivers State, and it is his responsibility to work towards that leadership.
“But to say he is the political leader of Rivers will be putting leadership into a broad context.”
Speaking at Ndoni a couple of weeks ago, Dr Odili said the Rivers people are impressed with the efforts put into the defence of Rivers interests by Fubara.
“Thanks for standing up to defend the interest of all Rivers people”, Odili said on that occasion, “We are proud of you. Politics is over; it is now time for governance. You have hit the ground running.”
He further stressed, “Your government is aligning correctly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s government, especially in the areas of education, agriculture and now health sector.
“Our people said I should tell you to stand with the president and align with his positive policies and link the people of Rivers State with the centre.
“They have asked me to tell you that you are the political leader of Rivers State. Rivers’ people say where you go, they will go with you; where you stand, they will stand with you. Don‘t look back, stay focused, knowing that your people are behind you.’’
Thus far. Odili has not reacted to Abe’s claim indicating that the deep gullies which have appeared in the relationship between Wike and Odili have been filled.
“As it is today”, Wike had said sometime ago, “politically, we don’t have good relationship. We don’t work together.”
Wike openly acknowledged that “there are some political differences” between the two of them.
“For me, we have finished with this stage. It does not mean that in the next stage you will be in the same camp. No. He took a decision. I took decision”, Wike added.
It may mean that the decision Odili took which probably infuriated Wike and also resulted in a crack in their relationship could have stemmed from the support he lent to Fubara when the Rivers crisis erupted.