Senator Magnus Abe has revealed that widespread anti-party activities characterised the 2023 general elections across political parties in Rivers State.

Speaking during a civic reception hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, for political stakeholders in Rivers State on Friday in Port Harcourt, Abe stated that such actions were driven by the selfish interests of politicians, including himself.

Abe, who contested as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Rivers State, admitted to refusing the then-presidential candidate of the SDP permission to campaign in the state due to his allegiance to President Bola Tinubu, who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the time.

He accused several key figures, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the APC leadership in Rivers State, of engaging in anti-party activities during the elections.

Abe questioned why Wike’s anti-party actions have been disproportionately discussed, attributing the attention to the success of Wike’s efforts during the elections.

The former senator also recalled the events of 2015, where some politicians in the state obtained a court injunction in Imo State to block the transition of power from former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to Nyesom Wike.

Abe said he had advised Amaechi against such actions, warning that they could tarnish his legacy in the state.

Addressing Governor Fubara, Abe cautioned that many politicians currently supporting him are only motivated by personal political interests.

Rivers characterised by anti-party activities in 2023 – Abe