Former Senator Magnus Abe, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, has emphasized that genuine loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot coexist with political antagonism towards Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
This statement was made in the context of Abe's recent appointment by President Tinubu as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which he described as a testament to the President's commitment to rewarding loyalty and competence.
In a detailed post on his Facebook page, Abe expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, portraying him as a trusted leader who has earned the faith of millions of Nigerians.
He highlighted Wike's instrumental role in securing Rivers State's support for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the challenging 2023 presidential elections, referring to Wike as the "001 of the Tinubu political family in Rivers State" and "Mr. Project."
"No one can claim to love Mr. President and be ungrateful to our ‘Mr Project’," Abe stated. "His support at a critical point meant a lot to our success as a family and continues to be pivotal to the success of the Tinubu family in Rivers State, which has formed into a unique rainbow coalition called the Renewed Hope Family."
Abe's remarks are widely interpreted as a pointed message to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid the escalating political crisis in the state, where tensions between Fubara and Wike have intensified over control and influence.
The former senator also personally thanked Wike, calling him "our Nyerishi," and affirmed his unwavering commitment to following President Tinubu, stating, "I will never stop following you."
This development occurs against the backdrop of ongoing rivalries in Rivers politics, including recent clashes involving APC national figures and calls for Wike to focus on his ministerial duties rather than state affairs.
Some analysts suggest that Wike's influence remains crucial for any political success in the region, while others note growing support for Fubara from certain APC governors ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abe concluded his statement by urging Nigerians to support Tinubu's reform agenda, asserting that "better days are coming for our country" as the President's approaches yield positive results.