The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Senator Magnus Abe to use his planned post-election visit to local government areas that make up the Rivers South-East Senatorial District to apologise to the people of the area for what the party described as “the stolen mandate and denying them the exercise of their franchise and fundamental right of choosing who they actually wanted during the December 10, 2016, re-run legislative elections in the area.”

PDP said it received the information about Mr. Abe’s scheduled tour with mixed feelings, explaining that it would rather commend the Senator over such initiative if he would conscientiously and remorsefully ask for forgiveness, even though the party still doubts the possibility of the people of Rivers South-East to accept him, “having committed seemingly an unforgiveable sin against his people.

“Embarking on a thank you visit after a victorious contest is a welcome and acceptable democratic exercise but not when the wounds are still fresh, the land desecrated and the pains and anguish caused by Mr. Abe’s desperation and unpopular ambition for political power remain unhealed.

“The manner Mr. Magnus Abe and the All Progressives Congress (APC) went about stealing the votes of the people and denying the electorate in the Ogoni axis the opportunity to duly elect their preferred representatives into the Legislative Houses at the State and national levels remains a grave concern and action that must not be taken with levity.

“The PDP believes that this development does not present Mr. Abe and his APC colleagues as having any moral justification for embarking on a thank you visit, unless such planned action is intended to actually apologize to the people and to commence a renewed campaign in the area, in the event of his failure at the election petition tribunal and the appellate court subsequently.

“The PDP again sympathises with the people of Rivers South-East senatorial district over the unfortunate incidents that took place during the election, saying it is aware they actually voted for all its candidates during the re-run elections and therefore, assured them of continued support by the Party and Rivers State government.

“The Peoples Democratic Party also disclosed that aside the numerous development projects being executed in the area by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his human capacity development and empowerment schemes would also be extended to all communities in the senatorial district.”