Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, has said that the Ogoni are standing tall to the envy of other ethnic groups in the state for voting for APC not withstanding their partisan, clanish and religious differences.

Speaking at a reception organised in his honour by the people of Kono community in Khana Local Government Area, Abe said although there were one or two bickering from his political opponents, which ought to have attracted a swipe from him, he chose to ignore them in the interest of Ogoni unity.

He enjoined the Ogoni to avoid anything that will cause them to have a misunderstanding among themselves in order not to allow their detractors to have their way.

Senator Abe said that he had heard Gov. Nyesom Wike urging Ikwerre people to unite; pointing out that the Ogoni should do the same as such unity was the best for them now than ever.

Speaking largely in pidgin English, he said: “We will not quarrel with any of our brother. I hear say Gov. Wike say make Ikwerre people no quarrel among themselves. I come talk say OK, make Ikwerre people no quarrel but other people fit quarrel. I say Ogoni people too we no go quarrel. All those my brothers wey go for radio last week, Fred Kpakol, Kenneth Kobani, I no go quarrel with them because the day of election them no do anything wey bad so I will not quarrel with them. I know for my brother Fred, who has been suspended how many times, if him wan quarrel with me, dem fit sack am, so, I no go quarrel with am. What people don't know is that blood is thicker than water.”

Senator Abe said that he chose to travel by road to be in Kono community because of series of cancellation of flights to enable him be present at the occasion, pointing out that nothing would ever stop him to join the teaming number of Ogoni people who had been celebrating since his victory on December 10.

The former Secretary to Rivers State Government said that the Christmas holidays had offered his people a veritable opportunity to celebrate the victory, adding that the Ogoni will keep to the tradition of Rivers people to be at the centre.

Speaking further, Senator Abe condemned the purposive denial of APC legislators the right to deliberate on the 2017 budget.

He said that the ruling party ensured that the 2017 budget was passed before deciding to swear in the APC legislators, pointing out that it was wrong and unacceptable in a democracy.

Update news