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Tag: Princewill

  • Princewill: APC ‘ll defeat Wike in 2019

    Princewill: APC ‘ll defeat Wike in 2019

    Prince Tonye Princewill is a River State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with reporters in Lagos, the politician spoke on partisan issues. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI was there. 

    Does President Muhammadu Buhari deserve a second term?

    The short answer is ‘yes’. He means well. He was not desperate to be President. So, he is doing what he feels is right, regardless of the politics. When you do that, expect to make a few enemies. The APC made promises without knowing what kind of economy they were getting into. It appears the administration started slow, but it is back on track. Buhari is used to cutting his coat according to his size. He is a man who is known to live within his means. That is why he can be forgiven for expecting Nigerians to do same. His thinking appeared to be: if we can navigate through this period, the other side will be worth it. No subsidy, a single treasury account, consequences for corruption, monies returned, massive investment in infrastructure, a boost in agricultural output, emphasis on made-in-Nigeria, improving the ease of doing business and finally taking the entertainment industry seriously. I could go on. All these despite a serious health scare. Agreed, it hasn’t been all smooth-sailing, but given the cards he has been dealt, you have to give him and his team credit. And there is more good news ahead.

    The anti-corruption fight has been described as one-sided…

    I’ve heard that before, but I don’t buy it. Just like the claim that Buhari’s appointments are biased was proved wrong; the facts do not support this claim either. I tend to identify people as guilty or innocent. Not by party. If they are guilty, they should face the consequences, regardless of political leanings. Some insist that people should be indicted, because they are in government, just to show that Buhari is working. This is a little odd. The right thing to do is to write a petition with evidence and pursue it. We all know people in this government that have been shown the door for corruption. It’s no longer fashionable, so I don’t expect many indictments, but seeing that corruption is still a religion for some, I’m sure Buhari will be setting examples before very long.

    Why did you lead a pro-SARS protest recently?

    This is because throwing the baby away with the bath water is ridiculous. Reforming SARS has to be the commonsense alternative. I find it difficult to fathom the thought that you scrap a unit of the police, because they have a few bad apples. That would provide grounds for scrapping most security outfits, including the army, the police and the navy. I can understand why Governor Nyesom Wike would want it scrapped; the SARS Commander in Rivers refused to compromise. Years of killings and beheadings have now been checked and intimidation is no longer the order of the day. The tide has turned. I marched because I don’t want the state to return to those dark years. Rural areas in Rivers State were very vulnerable, in the past. People in cities may not understand. I do. The numbers that came out on that day showed we have plenty of support. We were a coalition, united against the end-SARS campaign. It appears we won over a lot of new friends on that day.

    The Transport and Aviation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, is reputed to have a strong personality. How do you cope with him?

    I think the closer you get to Amaechi, the more you realise he is a simple man and very easy to get along with. If you describe knowing what he wants as being strong, then yes. But he consults and he delegates. But, once he makes up his mind, that’s it. We have had our fair share of debates, but what you have to give to him is that he is covered by an amazing grace. Heads or tails, his team always wins. 2019 will be another test. Our job is simple, work hard, but strengthen our faith and God willing, victory is certain. Like him, I believe that in Rivers State we need to put personal ambition aside for now and focus on the group’s ambition. Some saw it as a refusal to endorse them. They were right. A choice of candidate is way too early as the days of anointing candidates are gone. A primary will hold and by His grace, the best man (or woman) will win.

    What are your thoughts on the recent PDP convention that threw up your kinsman as national chairman?

    My concern is the amount of Rivers money that went into that exercise. Other than that, I saw a party that has always run on big money returning to its roots. Wike has played his hand. You can see where he is going; he just wants his second term ticket. He doesn’t care about the Presidency, because he feels the PDP will not win. The Southwest does not matter to him. Neither does any zone. All he cares about is the Rivers State governorship.

    The APC has had its share of troubles recently with an overbearing EFCC in the Innoson case. There are also question marks on the $1 billion proposed for Boko Haram fight. What are your thoughts?

    The facts are still unfolding and GTB seems to be playing catch-up. So, give it a few days, all truths will come out. My take is that the EFCC did not go there for debt recovery, because there was no debt and they are not that stupid. There is bound to be a reason they used to justify their entry, whether right or wrong. We need to know what that reason is and where GTB fits into it. In a world of 24-hour news, we no longer have patience like in the past.

    As for the $1 billion Boko Haram fund, Nigerians will shout. The PDP will also shout. They know what diverting money for security feels like. But, the body that approved this money is beyond party politics and Nigerians will expect and get accountability. Also, there is a misconception that it is only for Boko Haram. It to fight insecurity anywhere it is found.

    Why did you join the APC?

    There are three key reasons. The first is local. In Rivers State, I have the misfortune of having a man called Nyesom Wike as my governor. Uniting all the opposition to Wike makes sense. That’s why I’m in the APC. All the sticks joined together make a broom. The PDP used our anger against Amaechi as a cover to sneak Wike into the Brick House. I am no longer angry with Amaechi and from what I am seeing, I am not alone. In 2019, there will be no sneaking. Secondly, in the PDP, deceit is like a religion.

    Is it possible to defeat Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike?

    Of course! Since 1999, elections in Rivers State have been won by force of the gun. The former party in power at the centre had controlled the security agencies and the electoral institutions and used the agencies to its advantage. Now, Buhari is changing all that. Finally, popularity matters. The battle in Rivers State will be won before the day. Even Wike can feel what is coming. He is already planning his exit. The biggest challenge to the APC is the APC. Once we get it right, Wike and the PDP will not be an issue.

    Since 2015, we have not seen the Rivers State budget. Wike spends on instinct, borrows on instinct and yet there are people who support him. Nothing else can personify a corrupt system better. It shows that Wike has decided to take us for granted.

    How true is it that the Rivers APC is divided?

    We were. Now, I think we have identified those who are ready to win. To be honest, in politics, division makes more news than unity, so there’s bound to be more spotlight on divisions. I am not deceived by that. Nothing unites politicians more than an election. Expect more drama in the period leading to the primaries. Only then will we settle in. In 2015, we had more divisions within the PDP when Wike took the ticket without any regard to his fellow politicians. The world did not end. After he took the ticket, many of the same people he showed no regard for, ended up working for him. That’s Nigerian politics.

     

  • Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    THE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the April 11 election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has insisted that the poll was not free, fair and credible.

    He said the judgment of the election petitions tribunal, sitting in Abujas was right on the poll.

    Princewill, who was also the standard bearer of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in Rivers during the 2007 election, declared he was not surprised with the nullification of the poll.

    He stated that Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) didn’t win the contest.

    He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, won the tribunal suit for all Rivers people, especially the lovers of democracy and the rule of law, who had been pushing for one man, one vote.

    The LP governorship candidate spoke yesterday in an interactive session with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He lauded the judiciary for taking what he described as a step in the right direction, thereby restoring sanity in the nation’s electoral process.

    Princewill said: “Any lover of true democracy and justice, who witnessed what happened (in Rivers State on April 11), will not be surprised by the judgment of the tribunal.

    “I belong to that group. The elections were not free, fair or credible. So, they cannot stand honest scrutiny.

    “The APC won the case for all of Rivers State. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and the same people in the APC today were also the beneficiaries of that fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the state.”

    He went on: “In my post-election statement in April (2015), I clearly highlighted my displeasure in the outcome of the elections.

    “I lamented the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who will be left to lead?

    “I did not only show my disappointment in the conduct of the elections but also my concern over peace in my state.

    “It is not about taking sides with PDP or APC; it is about the truth. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount to aligning with the PDP.”

    While commenting on the disagreement among the leaders of the LP in Rivers state on the tribunal’s judgment, the governorship candidate described it as an embarrassment to the party and clear indication of confused leadership.

    Princewill insisted that with the tribunal ordering fresh election within 90 days, he remained the standard bearer of the LP.

    He however said he not desperate to be Rivers governor.

    According to him: “Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a loser. I am comfortable with either because I am not desperate to be governor.

    “If Rivers people want unity, peace, a government they can reach and believe that their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a better chance.

    “The hate for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (ex-Rivers governor) or APC because of what they did to former President Goodluck Jonathan (preventing his re-election) should not becloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth.

    “If PDP is the beneficiary of this sham today, APC members should know that they cannot try it tomorrowý. Will I not complain if that happens?

    “Of course I will. If electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrowý. If there are no consequences for electoral violence, it will continue.”

    The LP’s governorship candidate also admonished Rivers people, especially the politicians to ensure that the fresh election ordered by the tribunal was free of violence, insisting that people should not be desperate for power or victory.

    While commenting on the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari and Amaechi’s confirmation by the Senate, Princewill said: “President Buhari is the president. Whether his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus more on helping him, than pulling him down.

    “I know Amaechi and I know his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people are watching. I believe that with the right motivation, cross-party support and a little prayer, he (Amaechi) can be a useful tool in Buhari’s cabinet. Let us leave it to God.”

    The Rivers governorship candidate of the LP also reiterated that the anti-corruption fight was the foundation of the Buhari’s campaign, while admitting that the president was just settling down and should not be fighting on too many fronts.

    He stated that the government’s agencies charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption must be allowed to do their works without interference, in order to move Nigeria forward.

    Princewill urged Rivers people to place emphasis on peace, without which investment, jobs, development and empowerment would be lacking in the Niger Delta state.

     

  • April polls worst in Rivers history, says Princewill

    April polls worst in Rivers history, says Princewill

    Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the April 11 election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has said this year’s elections were the worst in the history of the state.

    He urged Nigerians to support the Muhammadu Buhari administration to succeed.

    Princewill, who addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said he was in politics to impact positively on his people.

    The LP candidate said he was not among politicians who would kill to get to power.

    According to him, he came to save lives and empower the people of Rivers.

    Princewill said since the April elections, he had not left Nigeria, but redirected his focus on running his business.

    He said: “I still boldly stand to say the April 2015 elections in Rivers State were the worst in our history. But by our constitution, Governor Nyesom Wike was sworn in. Thanks to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He is, therefore, the governor and he has a constitutional duty to govern the state till further notice. He needs the support and prayers of all to achieve that.

    “I refused to approach the tribunal for many reasons, but one major reason was the fact that the men of God I respect told me not to. When I prayed about it, my mind was at peace. It still is.

    “The independence and maturity of the governorship tribunal are quite impressive and encouraging. But I did not approach the tribunal. My party (LP) did, after trying to suspend me for advising them against it. Surprisingly, they did not contest the senatorial, House of Representatives or House of Assembly elections; just the governorship poll, even when I said no. I hear they lost. Let the truth be told: the annulment of the elections in Rivers State will not surprise me. What will be the outcome of a re-election? My stand is with the people of Rivers State.”

    Princewill also said politics should not be an avenue to make money but a means to make things right.

    The LP candidate urged his friends in politics not to go into it as a profession but to have another or other legitimate sources of livelihood to depend on.

    He said politics should be a sacrifice, adding that to survive in it, politicians must always have legitimate ways to fund themselves, which would make them to speak from their hearts.

    Princewill said: “A lot has happened in the last few months, but what stands paramount is that Nigeria is still one and there is still hope. That is something we all should be proud of. I have been involved in every kind of politics, including opposition politics and politics of the party in power. But the one I find most interesting is people’s politics. That is what ex-President Goodluck Jonathan displayed at the end of his tenure. The people come before the party.

    “I must say that I am yet to see a reason to pat President Muhammadu Buhari on the back, but I also have not seen a reason to crucify him. For a government to move ahead, criticisms can be effective but distractions can be destructive. That is what our politicians should learn. Buhari is now Mr. President and, to the best of my knowledge, no one is challenging that. So, all energy should be mustered to help him succeed. Critics should proffer solutions and keep him on his toes but to always try to be constructive.”

    Princewill also admonished President Buhari to forget the “Baba Go Slow” title, adding that it is not how someone starts that matters but how he finishes.

    He urged the President to liaise with his predecessor.

     

  • Princewill sues Princewill over LP candidature

    Prince Joseph Tamunosaki Princewill, a kinsman of Rivers State Labour Party’s (LP’s) “governorship candidate”, Prince Tonye Princewill, has sued him at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on his alleged candidature “through proxy”.

    The plaintiff said the politician’s emergence was not in line with the LP constitution.

    Joseph Princewill, from the same Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, is also an LP governorship aspirant.

    Joseph, who is also the leader of “The New Breed,” which revived LP from less than 200 members in Rivers State to the present status of over 5,000 registered members, told reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, asked the court to compel Tonye to stop parading himself as LP’s governorship candidate, despite flooding Rivers State with his campaign posters.

    He is demanding N10 billion damages from Tonye.

    Joseph also said his Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, would be in court tomorrow to take a date for the accelerated hearing of the suit.

    The five respondents in the suit are: the LP, Tonye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Emmanuel Dagogo, a personal assistant to Tonye, who is not a member of LP but was given the Rivers governorship ticket of the party.

    Dagogo later handed over to Tonye, after he (Tonye) dumped the PDP, where he was a governorship aspirant.

    Joseph wanted an order for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution,  as amended and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004.

  • LP disowns Alao-Akala, Ogboru, Princewill

    LP disowns Alao-Akala, Ogboru, Princewill

    THE Labour Party (LP) has disowned former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Great Ogboru, and Tonye Princewill.

    It said the three politicians were not the party’s governorship candidates in Oyo, Delta and Rivers states.

    The party added that it has not fielded any candidate for next year’s general elections, warning those parading themselves as the party’s flagbearer to stop.

    The National Caretaker Committee put in place by the organised labour – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) – said at a news conference at the NLC secretariat in Abuja that the three men were not known as the party’s members.

    The LP is factionalised with organised labour, which claimed to have registered the party, setting up a committee to conduct fresh elections after dissociating itself from the national convention held in Akure.

    The committee’s chairman, Salisu Muhammed, said the party’s former national chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu and his ex-scribe were only using the three men to enrich themselves.

    Mohammed said those claiming to have purchased nomination forms did that fraudulently and therefore, could not represent the party.

    He said: “Of recent, the media has been awashed with purported entry of Alao-Akala into our party to contest for governorship election in Oyo State.

    “He is said to have been given ticket by Salam and Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu – former National Secretary and National Chairman.

    “This situation also goes to Chief Princewill Tonye of Rivers State, Chief Great Ogboru of Delta State, as well as some followers of Governor Elechi of Ebonyi State. They are now the latest victims of political buccaneers. In one word, we honestly counsel you all: don’t jump from frying pan to fire.”

    Mohammed said the party was taking legal action against Nwanyanwu to retrieve its Certificate of Registration and other party’s property that were still in his possession.

    He said Nwanyanwu was earlier given a three-day demand notice on the issue, which had since elapsed, lamenting that he had chosen the path of dishonour.

    His words: “The NCC was saddled with the responsibility of repositioning the party towards achieving the objective for which it was set up by the working people through their apex organisations – the NLC and the TUC.

    “The mandate given to us, apart from repositioning the party, also includes retrieving the party’s Certificate of Registration and taking inventory of the party’s property and recovering same from our party’s erstwhile National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu.

    “In accordance with this understanding, we had caused to write again, a letter dated December 11, 2014, being final demand letter giving him (Nwanyanwu) – three-working-day notice – to return the certificate to the party’s registered office situated at the Labour House.

    “This letter, under reference, is a follow up to the earlier letter of demand written by Edo State Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, erstwhile president of the NLC, in January 31, 2006, in which he (Oshiomhole) stated to Dan Nwanyanwu that: your private custody of the document is inexplicable and outside the bounds of practice of mass organisations.

    “The three-day demand notice, being the final, has since elapsed. And this suggested that Dan Nwanyanwu has chosen to follow the path of dishonour by betraying the trust reposed in him in seeking to appropriate our collective property, and engage the NLC and TUC and their affiliated industrial unions, and by extension, the working people of Nigeria in a duel and contention on the ownership of the Labour Party.

    “As a result of this unfortunate situation, we (will) like to assure him that we will take all legitimate actions to recover the certificate and other property of the party.

    “Labour Party is not registered by Nwanyanwu and Salam. Whatever it would take to pursue this mandate would be fully employed by the party. If it takes going to court, we will tender evidences and proofs.”

  • Abuja show of shame: Princewill apologises to Jonathan

    Abuja show of shame: Princewill apologises to Jonathan

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, yesterday apologised to President Goodluck Jonathan for the show of shame in Abuja by members of the party from Rivers State.

    Princewill, who was the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress in Rivers State in 2007, noted that the attack in Abuja by thugs was not in the character of Rivers people, while asking politicians, especially the governorship aspirants, to call their supporters to order.

    The Rivers Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, however, claimed that the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, did not sponsor the thugs that attacked some leaders of the party from Rivers state.

    Obuah also declared that there would be no entry into the PDP through the back door, while urging the members of the party to be law-abiding.

    There was pandemonium on Thursday at the national campaign office of the PDP in Maitama, Abuja, with thugs, who used dangerous weapons, beating and injuring some leaders of the party from Rivers State.

    Obuah said: “The Rivers State chapter of the PDP wishes to describe the allegation of inciting physical humiliation of certain non and expelled members of the party from Rivers State against the Minister of State for Education and leader of the party in the state, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, during an integration meeting in Abuja, as false, baseless and malicious.

    “The allegation is the handiwork of agents of Governor Chibuike Amaechi to cause disaffection among the members of the party (PDP).

    “The truth is that the non and expelled members, seeing that their claims before the Prof. Iya Abubaker-led PDP integration panel were hollow, resorted to cheap blackmail against their target, Chief (Barr.) Wike, which is not necessary.

    “What is the rationale for attending a party integration meeting in far-away Abuja by the petitioners, with a crowd of thugs, if they did not have an ulterior motive? The skirmishes took place outside the venue of the integration meeting, which went peacefully.”

    Obuah described members of the PDP as peaceful and honourable persons, with the best interest of the people at heart.

    He said: “We refuse to be hoodwinked by anybody or a group of mischief makers using primordial sentiments to grab what they do not deserve.

    “Anyone who wants to be our party member should be free of sentiments and must be ready to work for the collective interest of all Rivers People.”