… seems poised to fulfil ambition to be on the ballot
After weeks of speculation, Senator Magnus Abe whose ambition to be a governorship candidate has been at the centre of the turmoil in APC has finally emerged as a full fledged member of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
He is expected to take the SDP and the message of Project SMA to the door post of Rivers people when the time comes.
The Senator who has repeatedly assured his supporters that he will be on the ballot met with members of his new party in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital as the weekend approached.
Present at the occasion where he was formally decorated as one of the leading lights of the party were Hon. Golden Ben-Chioma, Hajia Mariam Batubo and the Rivers state chairman of the SDP, Hon Osaro.
From left to right: Hon. Golden Ben-Chioma, Hajia Mariam Batubo, Senator Magnus Abe and Hon. Osaro.
“Yes I am and I have been a member of the social Democratic Party SDP”, Abe said in a statement which has gone viral.
He disclosed that he would continue to champion the campaign for the institutionalisation of internal party democracy in Nigeria.
Vowing he will not give up on principles which have shaped his politics, the Senator declared, “I remain irrevocably committed to the ideals that have driven my politics through the years.
“And will continue to do all we can to improve internal democracy in the politics of our country and focus on the people”.
His decoration as a member of the party has thus put an end to speculations about his political future.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph, flagship of the Port Harcourt press, had weeks before Abe made to leave the APC predicted that Senator Abe was headed for the SDP.
How Abe whispered to me – Telegraph Publisher
Meanwhile, the Publisher of the Port Harcourt Telegraph, Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke has revealed how Abe whispered to him at a recent occasion about his intention to contest the governorship race.
Nwuke recalls that the Senator who visited the Secretariat of the NUJ to pay a condolence visit spoke briefly with him as he made to leave the conference hall.
According to him, Abe who thanked elders of the NUJ for honouring him with their presence during the condolence visit whispered to him as he rose from the table and made his way out of the venue, “I’m running the race.”
Obstacles overcome:
It would appear that obstacles placed on the way between his ambition to run as a gubernatorial candidate of the SDP and a claimant to the ticket have been overcome.
Victor Okoko, relatively unknown in political circles, had in short statement released on Facebook claimed that he is the authentic flagbearer of the party
On that occasion, he urged Abe to go elsewhere, saying he would not give up his stake in the SDP on account of anyone, thus fueling fresh speculations that Abe’s dream to be a candidate may be dead on arrival.
But with party leaders coming together to decorate Abe formally as a member of the party, there are strong indications that obstacles which had stood in the way may have been removed.
“I will be on the ballot in 2023”, Abe has insisted all along. It may well be that after many years of struggle which began in the APC, the ambition to be on the ballot might be within reach.
Abe a few days ago said he would be the one to succeed Governor Wike when he eventually completes his tenure.