Senator Magnus Abe, the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for Rivers State in the 2023 elections, has called on Nigerian students to deepen their involvement in the political landscape and play a more active role in shaping the nation’s future.

Abe, who previously served as the representative for Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, emphasized that while academic excellence remains a top priority for students, engaging in the political arena is equally vital, given how political decisions influence their everyday lives and opportunities.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of a one-day colloquium held in Port Harcourt last Saturday, organized by the Progressive Students Network in Rivers State to celebrate his 60th birthday, Abe encouraged young people to embrace political participation.

Speaking through Dr. Bethel Oko-Jaja, his representative and former spokesperson for the SDP’s 2023 campaign council, Abe acknowledged the importance of education but stressed the need for students to also be politically conscious. “The primary goal for students at this stage is to focus on their studies and successfully complete their education,” he stated, “but they should not shy away from engaging in politics, as it directly affects their futures.”

He, however, said, “While that is ongoing, you must also acquaint yourself with developments in the state, particularly when it has to do with politics.”

Abe said, “Certainly, whoever emerges as a governor, local government chairman, president, House of Assembly member, senator, or House of Representatives member will affect the populace that he or she is representing.

“So, as a student, you must prepare to vote. If you have your voter card, on voting day, you must come out and cast your vote for the candidate of your choice.

“You must know the candidate you are voting for so that the person will represent you very well and do what is expected of an elected or appointed official.”

Abe also emphasised that students could play a critical role as watchdogs, assessing the performance of public officeholders to ensure accountability and efficiency.

“The students also have a role to play. They can come together, form a synergy to assess aspirants and candidates from different political parties and decide who to vote for.

“Those persons that have concern for students’ welfare, those that care about the citizens’ well-being, those who are committed to making life be

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“This is one of the best things that has happened here, putting these ideas together. Senator Abe is a principled man. Much of the love and even some of the hatred for Senator Abe comes from the fact that he does not compromise.”

The President of the Progressive Students Network, Woji Enyindah, said the event was organised to celebrate Abe’s contributions to education in Rivers State.

“When it comes to the educational sector in Rivers State, I believe that there’s no other elite individual who has contributed more to the growth and development of education than Senator Magnus Abe.

“So, in honour of his 60th birthday, we thought it wise to put this event together to appreciate and celebrate him.

“And it’s not just the Students’ Network, this honour also comes from the Progressive Lecturers Network, making it a collective gesture from the academic community.

He said that to commemorate his legacy, they had produced a Festschrift titled Politics, Law, and Nation Building in his honour.

At the event, it was reported that scholarship grants of N400,000 each were awarded to five PhD students from various tertiary institutions in the state, courtesy of Senator Abe.

He remarked that when there are good and quality leaders, they will certainly do the right thing, and when the right thing is done, everybody will be happy.

Abe’s spokesperson, Dr Parry Benson, praised the students for the initiative, describing it as a meaningful way to honour the former lawmaker. Benson explained that the programme was organised to honour him, noting that a group of students called the Progressive Students Network had come together independently, started advertising for contributions of articles, compiled those articles into a compendium, and asked him to write the foreword.