Former Rivers State Senator Magnus Abe has disputed the notion that Governor Siminalayi Fubara can be considered the political leader of the state.
Abe made this assertion during an interview on TVC’s “Politics Night,” discussing the ongoing political tensions between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Abe, who was a former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 elections, emphasized that being the governor does not automatically confer political leadership.
He explained that political leadership requires building confidence, followership, support, and trust over time.
While acknowledging Governor Fubara’s role as the leader of the government of Rivers State, Abe stated, “To say Fubara is the political leader of Rivers State is a much broader context of leadership, and it takes time to build that kind of confidence, followership, support, and trust.”
Abe highlighted the distinction between being a governor and being a political leader, noting that the latter is earned through time and effort in bringing people together and earning their trust.
He cited the example of the late Aminu Kano, who was considered the political leader of Kano despite not being a governor at the time.
Regarding his own political journey, Abe mentioned that he had resolved the longstanding political feud between himself and Wike before the 2023 elections.
He fell out of favor with his former political ally and governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi, who chose Tonye Cole as the APC governorship candidate instead of Abe.
Meanwhile, Wike supported Siminalayi Fubara as his successor.
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