By Obinna Uballa
Former senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe, has declared that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, remains the leader of the Renewed Hope Family in Rivers State, dismissing claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara holds the position.
Abe made the assertion on Monday while revalidating his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Ward 6 in Bera community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to him, there is no ambiguity regarding the political leadership structure of the Renewed Hope Family in the state, insisting that Wike occupies the leadership position.
“As far as the politics of Rivers State is concerned, the Minister of the FCT is the leader of the Renewed Hope Family. There is no confusion and there is no dispute about the different roles that people are playing,” Abe said.
He called on party members across the state to participate actively in the ongoing APC membership revalidation exercise, expressing confidence that Rivers State would deliver a strong electoral showing for the party in the 2027 general elections.
“Everybody should go and revalidate their membership of the APC. We are all working together. Rivers will deliver the highest percentage of votes for the Renewed Hope Family. That is our commitment,” he added.
Abe’s remarks come amid an ongoing political contest over leadership of the APC in Rivers State between Wike and Fubara.
While the APC national leadership and some presidential aides, including Daniel Bwala, have publicly recognised Fubara – who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – as the party’s leader in the state, Wike and his loyalists have continued to challenge that position.
The dispute has further deepened the political rivalry between the two camps, with both figures engaged in a protracted struggle for influence and control of the party’s structure in Rivers State.
