…Senator refutes presidential endorsement claims
The rift between the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, took a new twist at the weekend when the minister accused the senator of deceiving the public about the status of their political relationship.
He said in a statement released by his media office, yesterday, that Abe’s statement that he, Amaechi, is his leader was not only untrue but also a clear misrepresentation of facts.
Last week, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Abe told newsmen that Amaechi is his “leader.” But, Amaechi, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said he is not Abe’s leader
Said Amaechi: “I am not Magnus Abe’s leader. Abe has long left me and the political family that is largely responsible for his rise and fame in politics.
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“How can I be Abe’s leader when he and the minions sponsored by him (Abe), privately and publicly abuse, insult and cast aspersions on me, my wife and members of my family, daily? Is that how a follower treats his leader?”
He maintained that “It’s cheap and, indeed, a shameful political sophistry for Abe to stand in the APC secretariat and deceitfully say I am his leader while all he has done, privately and publicly, in recent times, is to undermine me, the APC and desecrate the APC in Rivers state.
“As a matter of fact, it is, indeed, very doubtful if senator Abe is still in the APC. He mouths APC but his actions belie his words and clearly tell a different story.
“A man who wakes up, creates an imaginary parallel party executive and went ahead to open an office for the non-existent parallel executive that has no base and foundation, cannot be said to be committed, in anyway, to the party.
“As a matter of fact, his actions are obviously targeted at weakening and destroying the party. Such a hypocritical, devious character cannot be my follower. I am not his leader.”
Meanwhile, Abe’s campaign organisation has dismissed insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed his governorship ambition.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, signed by the Director General of the organisation, Worgu Boms, described such insinuations as cheap blackmail against the president.
“These rumours and insinuations, which have been making the rounds for some time now, were given traction, following the successful visit of the Ogonis to the president; to thank him for his efforts in the Ogoni clean-up. We wish to state categorically that, at no time, whether in private or in public discussions, did senator Magnus Ngei Abe, or anyone associated with him, inform anyone or give any impression to anyone to the effect that president Buhari has endorsed him for the governorship election in Rivers state.
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“It is obvious that the motive behind this unfortunate and disingenuous rumour mill, is to blackmail the person of the president and sow seeds of discord between the president and the distinguished Senator who holds the president in very high esteem.
“Freedom House reiterates the preparedness of senator Magnus Ngei Abe to present himself and run for the governorship ticket of the APC in Rivers State, in a primary election he believes will be free and fair…” and the outcome acceptable to all in line with the policy of our party, the APC, and the publicly-known desire of Mr. President for a free, fair and credible election”.