PDP Leaders To Blame For Ogoni Violence – Magnus Abe

Senator-Magnus-AbeThe All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 19 rerun election in Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has accused leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of being behind the crisis rocking Ogoni land.
Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), who hails from Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA, made the allegation yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He said: “It is important that I make this statement with regard to the crisis arising from the military’s attempt to effect the arrest of Solomon Ndigbara (aka Osama bin Laden, an ex-militant leader), at Yeghe-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area, which led to the hoodlums burning down my senatorial liaison office in Bori-Ogoni, Khana LGA.
“I am happy that Governor Nyesom Wike, as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) knew and approved the military operations in Yeghe, Ogoniland. There is nothing wrong if he, as the CSO, and after appraising the situation in Ogoni, approves that the military should raid the area of criminal elements and maybe recover arms.
“The person who stands to be blamed for the crisis is Solomon Ndigbara and his group, who chose to engage the military in a shootout. Information available to me points to the fact that there was a deliberate attempt by the PDP to incite the people against my person and the APC.
“PDP leaders know pretty well that we are innocent. But in their desperate attempt to exploit the situation for their political gain, they want to hang it on us. It is sad that this type of politics is being played by people who hold responsible positions.
“It is unfortunate that the governor visited the home of ex-militant leader, Solomon Ndigbara, in Yeghe community, but did not deem it fit to visit my burnt senatorial liaison office building at Bori, which is less than two kilometres away from Yeghe”.
The APC flag bearer also pleaded with Ogoni people to eschew violence, lawlessness and to ensure that they maintain peace.