26/05/2026
RIVERS POLITICS: “HISTORY HAS VINDICATED ME,” MAGNUS ABE LASHES BACK AT CRITICS OVER DECISION TO SUPPORT TINUBU, CHINDA
Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Magnus Abe, has defended several major political decisions he has taken over the years, insisting that despite criticism and opposition from some Ogoni people, those decisions ultimately benefited Ogoniland.
In a strongly worded political statement, Abe reflected on key moments in his political journey, particularly his role in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni cleanup, his support for former President Muhammadu Buhari, and his current alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Abe, when he supported the UNEP study on Ogoni as Secretary to the Rivers State Government under the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, many Ogoni people accused him of betraying the region and secretly working to reopen oil production in Ogoniland.
He said he was labelled “a vulture” and “a betrayer of Ogoni,” but maintained that the same people later celebrated when the Federal Government approved the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup project based on the UNEP report.
“When the same Ogoni people heard that one billion dollars had been voted for the Ogoni cleanup based on the UNEP study, they started celebrating, but nobody remembered the same man they insulted,” Abe stated.
The former Rivers South-East senator also recalled the political backlash he faced for facilitating the visit of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Ogoniland to formally commit to the implementation of the UNEP recommendations.
According to him, the opposition became so intense that some persons allegedly threatened his life, while the late environmental activist and Ogoni leader, Ledum Giniwa, was also attacked for supporting the initiative.
Despite the resistance, Abe said the visit eventually paved the way for the commencement of the Ogoni cleanup exercise through HYPREP.
He further referenced remarks made by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the inauguration of the cleanup in Bodo, where Osinbajo reportedly acknowledged Abe’s role in submitting the UNEP report for implementation.
Abe also defended his support for President Tinubu, saying many Ogoni people initially opposed the decision but were now benefiting from major federal projects under the current administration.
He listed the Bodo-Bonny Road, the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoni, and the continuation of the Ogoni cleanup programme as evidence of Tinubu’s impact on the region.
“When we took the decision to support Tinubu, Ogoni people were abusing me and calling me names, but today Ogoni is benefitting tremendously from Tinubu’s government,” he said.
The APC chieftain also revisited his decision years ago to leave the then All People’s Party (APP) to join forces with former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arguing that the move opened the door for the political rise of many Ogoni politicians.
Looking ahead to the 2027 political cycle, Abe declared his support for the “Renewed Hope Family,” pledging to work for the success of APC governorship candidate O.K. Chinda, President Tinubu, and other APC candidates.
He acknowledged that his latest political position had again attracted criticism from sections of Ogoni people but insisted that history would eventually justify his decisions.
“I have said it, and I stand by it. I will ensure it works, even beyond Ogoni,” he stated.
Abe, who also bears the traditional title Mene Suanu 1 of Ogoni, said the title reflected the confidence of the Ogoni people in his leadership and long-term vision for the region.
“If you believe in the vision for a greater Ogoni, please follow me,” he concluded.
