Magus Abe, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Rivers State, has denied congratulating Siminialayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party on his election as the state’s governor-elect.
Former Senator Abe also stated that he did not congratulate the state governor, Nyesom Wike, on the PDP’s victory in the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Abe made this clear in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Parry Benson, on Tuesday and sent to Port Harcourt journalists.
He stated this in response to a social media report that he congratulated the duo after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the winner.
INEC had on Monday declared Fubara winner of the state governorship election with 302,614 votes.
Abe disclosed that the election was a sham and fraught with violence, noting that claims that he sent out congratulations were fabricated.
‘I have not congratulated anyone and cannot congratulate anyone that has emerged through such a process ladened with high levels of irregularities. That was a sham not an election.
“At the appropriate time, I will address Rivers people and the SDP family in the state on our position on the governorship election of March 18, 2023,” part of the statement read.
While calling on Rivers people to ignore the report, Abe said it was the handiwork of ‘conscience-pricked’ individuals who can no longer sleep as they have murdered sleep.’
He added, “Such a process that was characterized by intimidation, thuggery, harassment and blood-letting where citizens were not allowed to freely cast their votes for candidates of their choice cannot in any way be described as an election.”