By: Felix Ikpotor
A former representative of the Rivers South East at the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe has charged his supporters and political associates in Rivers State not to be discouraged by series of events in the political arena of the state and country.
Abe who spoke at a luncheon with members of his political family in Port Harcourt, urged them to continue in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that their reward would come at the appropriate time.
Abe who contested the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, noted that he and others didn’t support Tinubu from the beginning because of any personal gain but for the interest of the country.
“Concerning the politics of Rivers State, the only thing I have to say is this; to those of you that continue to worry, let me say to you all that there is a reward for faithfulness that comes from Almighty God and not from man. Don’t worry yourself, don’t fret and don’t get tired. It’s a natural principle and everybody would get his own when it’s time.
“When you know that you have been faithful, you don’t begin to worry about what happens and what does not happen, you stay firm”, he said.
Abe added: “We did not support President Tinubu because of anything that any of us felt we would gain personally; we supported him because of Nigeria. We saw the way Nigeria was going and we felt that if we have in the saddle of leadership of this country, someone who understands money, no matter how rough it would be, by the grace of God, it would be better not just for us but for Nigerians.
“Some of the travails and challenges you’re seeing is part of the process of trying to correct how the money is moving or was not moving so that it would move properly. So don’t panic, don’t despair and don’t be like those that are without hope. Know that today, by the grace of Almighty God, we have today in this country, somebody who understands money and he knows that your problem is money, he is putting the economy in such a way that you can get money and I can get money, I think if that happens, all our sufferings, all our efforts, all our supports would have been rewarded whether we have position or not. So just stay firm, continue to support the president.
The former lawmaker said he is committed to the betterment of Rivers State and Nigeria.
“My own commitment is that we must have peace and inclusiveness as far as Rivers State is concerned, so that Rivers people can move forward, so that Nigerians can move forward. Politics is about interest and what is our interest? It’s that our society, our country must be made better,” he stated.
He noted that politics of 2023 has gone and politicians must be ready to grab any opportunity extended to them to move the state forward.
Abe also advised politicians to have multiple streams of income in order to survive outside politics.
“Apart from politics, we must grow a second address because there is something they call multiple streams of income. If all your money comes from one source and that source starts shaking, your mind begins to shake but if you’re having little from trading, rent, politics and others, if any shakes you won’t be bordered.
“The problem with a lot of our politicians is that they have just one source of income that’s why they can’t be steadfast because immediately that source is threatened, everything has collapsed. Let us try and create multiple streams of income and multiple addresses,” he advised.
