“Yes I am and I have been a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” Abe was quoted by The Nation on Friday as saying,” Abe said
By Jeffrey Agbo
A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Magnus Abe, has confirmed his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Yes I am and I have been a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” Abe was quoted by The Nation on Friday as saying.
“I remain irrevocably committed to the ideals that have driven my politics through the years. And will continue to do all we can to improve internal democracy in the politics of our country and focus on the people.”
Abe, who dumped the APC last week, had said he was searching for a political platform to fulfill his ambition of succeeding Governor Nyesom Wike in 2023 despite not participating in any primary election.
Maurice Prunem, a loyalist of Abe and indigene of Tai Local Government Area, is SDP’s Rivers governorship candidate.
Abe’s struggle for the APC governorship ticket with Tonye Cole in 2019 caused the APC not to have a governorship candidate at the poll.
In May 2022, Cole, an ally of former Rivers State governor and ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, emerged the APC governorship candidate for the 2023 polls, forcing Abe to leave the party.
Cole was declared winner in the keenly contested primaries of the party at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Omuagwa, Rivers State after polling 986 out of 1308 votes.