The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Magnus Abe has reiterated his commitment to ensure the improvement of government if elected as governor in 2023.
Abe made the declaration while speaking to the Non indigene Population in the State, at the inauguration of Rivers non-indigene SDP Exectuives at the weekend.
The former Senator said everyone in Rivers state had the right to be treated equally without minding where each person is from.
He said, “Initially my mind was, what is non-indigene? A Rivers man is a Rivers man, a Rivers woman is a Rivers woman, if you live here, you vote here, you train your children here, you build your houses here, you have homes here, you are contributing here, you are a Rivers man and woman.
“Today we are celebrating the fact that a Nigerian has been appointed Secretary of State for International Trade in the United Kingdom, but here in Rivers State, even if you have stayed for 50 years, you are paying your taxes, you are employing people, you are contributing to the state, they still say you’re a non-indigene, I dont recognise that fact.
“Anywhere in the world where people want to make progress, everybody must be treated properly, respected properly, given equal opportunities to grow and prosper, that’s how great cities are built, that’s how great countries are built. They are not built by discrimination and pettiness, that kind of thing makes everybody poor and here in Rivers State, we are going to be rich, we reject poverty.”
According to him, Rivers state has all takes to top the map and create wealth for both the state and the people in it.
“This is a land that Almighty God has blessed, we have everything that we can use to convert to wealth for our people. We have the brains, we have the ability, we have people who are hardworking and contributing.
“What makes you a Rivers man and a Rivers woman in my own view is your utility, your usefulness to the community, what you are contributing, that is who we value.
“Even if you are the son of my grandfather and you are not contributing anything to the state, you are causing trouble, you are a distraction, you add no value, I won’t regard you as a Rivers man.
“Utility is your right to participation and citizenship. So for those of you who have invested so much in Rivers State, you have built your homes here, you have brought up your children here, in fact some of the young ones that are growing up, they dont know anywhere else apart from here, so please be rest assured that as soon as you have taken this decision and you have implemented it next year all these things will change.
We will build a new society, based on justice, fairness, equal opportunity, progress and prosperity.
“I don’t regard creating markets for Rivers people as doing a favour to any particular community.
“If we have an international market in Rivers State, that is not a favour to the Igbo people, that is the economic advancement of Rivers State, because the market will generate revenue for Rivers State, it will create employment opportunities for Rivers people.
“People who come to buy in the market can sleep in the hotels, they pay taxes, they will pay revenue, and they will contribute value here. So building markets for our citizens is not a favour to any enthnic group. It is what a responsible government ought to do to give people opportunity to earn money, and where people don’t earn money they cannot be good citizens,” Abe stated.
The governorship hopeful, who said that the SDP in the state is the fastest growing party in Nigeria, maintained that nobody can decide the fate of another in the upcoming elections.
“I want to thank each and everyone of you, it is because of you that it is now nationally recognised and acknowledged that the Social Democratic Party in Rivers State is the fastest growing political party in Nigeria, it is growing faster than fire, it is a moving tornado, it is a ready hurricane, it is it is a blazing fire, it is a moving train. Nothing can stand in the face of the SDP here in Rivers State.
“Let me say this and say this clearly, by virtue of the Electoral Act 2022 and principle of one man one vote, nobody can decide the fate of another person’s vote. Everybody has his own PVC in his own pocket, and when you get to the polling unit that day, it is your responsibility to press your hand where you decide to, you press your hand where you think your futures lies, you press your where you know will favour your own life, you press your hand there you know will be good for you, nobody can decide for you.
“The President has one vote, the governor has one vote, the Senator has one vote, the driver has one vote, the honourable has one vote, the cook has one vote, the trader has one vote.”
Abe noted that the impact of the party will be felt at the commencement of campaigns in the state.
“When the campaigns start, that’s when people will begin to see the impact of this decision on the politics of Rivers State. These are the same people that used to do it for the other political parties,” he added.
