As a political analyst and longstanding political observer of political antecedents of Rep. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante, PhD, I can firmly state that the circulating allegations of secret sponsorship by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are false, fabricated, and malicious.
They collapse under basic scrutiny and the clear, documented position of the Honourable Member’s Media Office.
The press statement released today, 31st August 2026, by Rep Abiante’s Media Office in Abuja leaves no room for ambiguity. It directly addresses the report and dismantles it point by point:
– There has been “no arrangement, sponsorship, or financial backing” of any kind from Governor Fubara for Rep Abiante’s senatorial bid.
The claim is pure invention.
Nigerian citizens have a constitutional right to aspire to elective office; no one needs, or has received, covert gubernatorial patronage to exercise that right. Rep Abiante is simply exercising his.
– His candidature rests on justice and broad grassroots support across the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Of the seven local government areas in the district, only Andoni and Oyibo have never produced a Senator. That historical imbalance is a legitimate basis for his ambition. The people of the district—not any external “stranger”—will decide the outcome at the polls.
– Rep Abiante’s record as a third-term ranking member of the House of Representatives is public, transparent, and built on consistent engagement with his constituents and party structures.
His political trajectory requires no shadowy external funding narrative to explain it.
– Crucially, since he stepped forward to pursue the Senate seat, Rep Abiante has not been seen at any public function of the Rivers State Government.
The allegation that he is being quietly backed by the Governor is contradicted by this simple, observable fact.
Those circulating the story have produced no evidence of recent joint appearances or official collaboration; they cannot, because none exists.
The timing and tone of the online publications reveal the real motive: to manufacture artificial tension, smear a sitting federal lawmaker of unblemished standing, and attempt to blackmail the Governor by association.
This is classic political mischief, not journalism. Responsible publishers verify before amplifying speculation; those who failed to do so here have circulated fiction.
I attest to the falsity of the allegations because the facts align completely with the official denial: no evidence of sponsorship has been presented, the constitutional right to contest is self-evident, the district’s equity argument is public and longstanding, and the absence of any recent public association with the State Government is verifiable.
Legal options against the originators and peddlers of this defamatory material are already under review, as stated in the release.
Rep Abiante remains focused on quality representation, the overwhelming support of the people of Rivers South-East, and genuine peace and progress in Rivers State.
The electorate will render its verdict at the polls—not through fabricated online narratives. Treat this story with the contempt it deserves.
–Pamela O.
Political analyst and columnist.
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