Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, who leads the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, has called on citizens both locally and abroad to keep their faith in the national electoral system to bolster the country’s democratic foundations. His remarks followed the recent Rivers South East Senatorial District bye-election.
Abe noted that the high voter turnout, even amidst significant rainfall, served as a clear indicator of the public’s commitment to civic engagement and trust in the electoral results. He described the event as a transparent, free, and fair exercise.
The senator advised citizens to engage directly with the electoral process rather than depending on online discourse, highlighting that physical ballots represent the authentic will of the people. Additionally, Abe praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for its visible improvements during the bye-election, suggesting continued progress is necessary before the 2027 polls.
Finally, he extended his congratulations to the successful candidate, Olaka Nwogu. He encouraged the incoming senator to remain humble in victory and to deeply appreciate the voters who braved the weather to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
