A group under the aegis of Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts has appealed to Bola Tinubu to allow Ogoni to produce the minister from Rivers state in his cabinet.
The group also recommended Senator Magnus Abe as one of such Ogoni sons who deserves a chance to be included in his government.
In statement on Wednesday and signed by its convener, Sunnie Chukumele and Secretary, Josiah Onoriode, the group said that the majority of Rivers people would be glad to see Sen. Abe nominated by the President into the Federal Executive Council which he is about to constitute.
The group lamented the moves by some disgruntled politicians in the State to sideline the Ogoni-born politician in the scheme of things, noting that it was the reason for lending their voice on the issue.
“We have observed that Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe appears to have been consciously or unconsciously pushed or sidelined in the scheme of things. We want to put it on record that Sen. Abe single-handedly built the political structure to promote Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambition in Rivers State. He was criticized and vilified by most Rivers State people who supported the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Gov. Nyesom Wike of PDP or former Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of APC.
“We know it as of the truth that the faction of APC and all those who followed Senator Abe into SDP for his gubernatorial ambition and election all voted for Pres. Tinubu.
“We want to state without equivocation that what is said to be the presidential result from Rivers State should not have been subject to controversy if the last-minute alleged obstruction by the former Gov. Wike had not occurred.
“We have further observed with utter dismay the sudden switch of interest of the former Rivers State Governor in the internal affairs of the APC, which he fought against for eight (8) years with his regular face at the Presidential Villa since the assumption of office of Pres. Tinubu. We are afraid these are efforts geared to unduly influence the President by presenting himself as his main ally in Rivers State. Mr President must be vigilant to watch the antecedence of such people milling around him today.
“We commend Senator Magnus Abe for voluntarily withdrawing his petition at the Election Tribunal. This we see as a generous gift and gesture to the governor of River State to settle in to serve the good people of the State.
“We bring to the notice of Mr President that the Ogoni people being the second largest ethnic group in Rivers State, have never enjoyed a full ministerial position in this country since after the administration/cabinet of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, where late Dr GB Leton served as Federal Commissioner several years ago.
“We see it as equitable that Sen. Magnus Abe and Ogoni people be compensated, having given up the quest for the governorship of the State.
“We believe that appointing Sen. Abe into Pres. Tinubu’s cabinet will also be a succour to the President’s original followers in River State. These people should not be traded for interests and people we call the “Later Day Saints.
“We want to remind Mr President that he has been a man noted to reward loyalty at all costs. The Holy Book says that a labourer is worthy of wage or reward.
“We pray that Senator Magnus Abe’s position as Pres. Tinubu’s first and main loyalist in River State should not be swapped or short-changed for another. Majority of Rivers people shall be glad to see Sen. Magnus Abe nominated by the President into the Federal Executive Council which he is about to constitute”, the statement read.
