The coalition of Rivers state leaders of thoughts has expressed dismay over the frequent visit of ex-Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike to the Presidential Villa.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the convener of the coalition, Sunnie Chukumele, and secretary, Josiah Onoriode, on Saturday in Abuja.

The group also called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint Sen. Magnus Abe as a member of his cabinet.

The group explained that they also observed with utter dismay the sudden switch of interest of the former governor Nyesom Wike in the internal affairs of the APC, a party he fought against for over eight years.

They expressed dismay with Wike’s regular face at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since Mr Tinubu assumed office.

“This, we are afraid, are efforts geared to unduly influence the president by presenting himself as his main ally in Rivers.

“We believe that appointing Sen. Abe, whose profile is intimidating, into President Tinubu’s cabinet will also be a succour to the President’s original believers and followers in the state.

“We pray that Abe’s position as Tinubu’s first and main loyalist in Rivers should not be swapped or short-changed for another.

“Majority of Rivers people shall be glad to see Sen. Magnus Abe nominated by the President into the Federal Executive Council, which he is about to constitute,” they appealed.

The group comprised opinion molders, elders and leaders of thoughts from diverse backgrounds in Rivers who share same vision and represent informed and enlightened opinions on issues of interest as it affects the state.

“We lend our voices and contribute to issues based on conviction. We also act as vanguards, engage in agenda setting, feedback, propagation and promotion of good governance.

“We have observed that Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has been suspiciously sidelined or pushed aside in the scheme of things in the political movement at the Presidential Villa.

“We want to put it on record that Sen. Abe single-handedly built the political structure for the promotion of Tinubu’s presidential ambition in Rivers State. He was castigated and vilified by people of the state who supported PDP.

“We know it as of the truth, that the faction of APC and indeed all those sympathisers who followed Senator Abe into SDP for his gubernatorial ambition and election voted Tinubu for President,” they said.

(NAN)