“Why Fubara can’t be described as the political leader of Rivers” – Senator Abe

Former Rivers State Senator, Magnus Abe, has explained why he believes the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, does not deserve to be referred to as the state’s leader.

Abe made these remarks in an interview on TVC’s programme, Politics Night, where he discussed the ongoing feud between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

A clip of the interview gained traction on social media on Thursday. Abe, who was a candidate for governorship in the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, emphasized that being a state leader entails much more than just governing the state.

He said:

“Being a governor has made him the leader of the government of Rivers State. But when you say political leader, that is something that you have to work to earn.

“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. Leadership is all about trust, and sometimes, navigating this difficult water helps bring you out as a leader when you begin to trust yourself and can rely on the direction you provide.

“But he is the governor of Rivers State, and it is his responsibility to work towards that leadership. But to say he is the political leader of Rivers will be putting leadership into a broad context. And it takes time to get there. It takes bringing people together. You earn trust.

“As as you have the opportunity to get there, but I don’t think it is conferred”.