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Tag: Tonye Princewill

  • Rivers’ emergency rule done out of necessity – Princewill

    Rivers’ emergency rule done out of necessity – Princewill

    Tonye Princewill is a Prince of the revered Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State. A well-respected politician and protégé of both Atiku and Tinubu, Princewill resigned from active party politics in 2022 to focus on other interests, which include filmmaking. Just recently, he was inaugurated as the Chairman, Board of Trustees for the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the ADC coalition, the emergency rule in Rivers State and more.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent two years in his first term as President. What is your assessment of his midterm?

    You want to use me to write news? No need to waste your time. My opinion doesn’t matter. When I was a lot younger, I used to think it was important to be heard. Now that I’m wiser, I’ve slowly come to realise it’s more important just to observe.  There’s a reason we’ve got two eyes and two ears, but just a single mouth. What I will say is that hard decisions have been made that are bound to result in difficult times, so Nigerians will have to decide if the pains were worth it.

    But the truth is that the decision is not for another two years, so there is no need to fuss just yet. Both sides still have time. In the meantime, I will get to work on my alumni activities. I have celebrated alumni like President Jonathan, Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, Sim Fubara, Alex Otti, and Duoye Diri to work with. So if you permit me, I will be focused on this new role and leave the active politics to politicians.

    Some people say they will score  Tinubu A1 in Politics but F9 in governance. What is your candid assessment?

    My friends, those who know my history, know that both President Tinubu and Vice President Atiku taught me the basics in politics, and both handed me over to Amaechi. They also taught me the basics of governance. I was a very keen student and understudied both at every opportunity. All I will say is don’t underestimate them. I wish they were on the same team. What Atiku did at the national level to enshrine governance and what Tinubu did at the state level is worthy of careful study.

    Two years in, I would advise against scoring Mr. President just yet. His key reforms were and still are very, very painful, but they were also necessary. Before the next election, we will see if they have worked. A game is not won or lost at halftime. Where the President might have a problem is that he knows Nigerians too well. They are docile, mouthy and full of hot air. They love life too much. So he knows they can win Gold at the Olympics if complaining were a sport. I hope he doesn’t underestimate them. It takes just 20% of the people to do 80% of the work. I know my mentors listen.

    At various times, you were close to Tinubu, Atiku and Amaechi. Today, both Atiku and Amaechi have teamed up against Tinubu. Where does this leave you?

    Here (pointing to his chair). I’ll be right here. They taught me well. I’m my own man. Just like they are their own men. All politics is local. I am where I chose to be. I did not vote for either of them in 2023, and if in 2027, neither of them can motivate me and my team with ideas, we will not vote for either of them again. You see, Nigeria’s problem is not what we think it is. Everyone looks primarily at who is the President, but I see things differently. That’s only a fraction of it. Currently, neither APC, PDP, nor even ADC seem to get it. The way they are going, it will be business as usual. If it is business as usual, that benefits the APC. I will be here until I’m motivated to do otherwise. That’s Newton’s first law of motion. Twice, I heard Dele Momodu quoting Newton’s laws of motion wrongly. I’m an engineer, so I don’t have that luxury. I will remain where I am unless acted upon by a force to do otherwise. That’s why I resigned from active party politics. I’m tired of doing the same thing and expecting different results because someone versed in analogue politics says so. My inertia can only be moved by conviction.

    Some think that the ADC would only give Tinubu a good fight if Atiku voluntarily drops his presidential ambition and allows the party to take the slot to the south. What is your take on this?

    For ADC to make the impact they are hoping for, they would need to do a whole lot better than what I’ve seen so far, even with Atiku. I expect that they know that. It is two years in, and the President is probably at his most vulnerable, yet if you ask the average voter, they aren’t certain the coalition has what it takes to make Nigeria greater. They know what they are against, but what are they for? It is early days, so let us watch and see if things evolve. For now, I see too many gaps. They will need to add to their numbers. Not to discourage anyone, especially Atiku.

    As for dropping his presidential ambition, I feel sorry for him and for Tinubu, my two fathers in politics. People want to replace them, but don’t know how. Why would Atiku drop years of political capital and stand in the background when he fancies his chances to win a ticket and run? Give him a good reason or beat him in a primary. It is democracy, it’s supposed to be difficult. This is not the time for microwave politics. When it was Obasanjo, we wanted him out; when it was Jonathan, we wanted him out; when it was Buhari, we wanted him out; now it’s Tinubu, we want him out too. In all of these recurring illnesses, nobody still sees that the problem isn’t who is the President. They should continue.

    You have stayed away from active politics for quite some time now. Ahead of the 2027 general election, will you be aligning with any of the groups?

    I’ve always maintained that politics is too important to be left to politicians, and I still stand by it. But for now, I have the American Hospital Dubai, my new movie,’ 77′, and my new role as the BOT Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt alumni to focus on. Not to mention my business interests. So my hands are full. But both my state, regional and national friends in politics are watching what is going on with keen interest. When we see the beginnings of seriousness, we will rise up.

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    I listened to a man on Arise TV the other day representing the LND and for the first time I heard the embers of a difference. But alas, the old adage my father taught me still rings true: “Don’t believe in your breakfast until you have eaten it.”

    Some people, including Gov. Fubara, say the emergency rule in Rivers was necessary and it actually saved the day. What is your take on this?

    They are right. Where we were heading would have rocked the very roots and foundations of this country. One or two things could have been done differently, but that’s with the benefit of hindsight. Was it legal, constitutional or even a sound strategy? That can be argued by those who have the two mouths I talked about earlier. I’m not blessed with that privilege. I think it was a tactical move done out of necessity. A doctrine of necessity, if you like. But I don’t have all the facts that those who made the decision had. National security is not Monday night football analysis.

     What do you make of the recent peace process between FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara?

    I’m happy there is relative peace. It’s what I prayed for. I’ve not given any detailed interview on Rivers politics for a while, because I wanted to be free of the drama, but last month I spoke on it during a radio programme and said what I told the Governor the first chance I got. It was during the build-up to the King’s funeral. I said, “Do not let anybody come between you and Wike.” During the live radio programme, I said it again. We need peace. The state needs peace, and there is no reason for father and son not to make peace. Sim should go and reach out to Wike, and Wike should accept him like the Governor that he is. I didn’t vote for Sim, but he’s there courtesy of other people’s sweat. It’s worth acknowledging it.

     Away from politics, you have been involved in movie production, and recently, one of your movies premiered at the international level. Would you like to share the experience?

    Yes, ten years after we made “76” the movie based around the real-life events of the coup of the same year that led to the assassination of Gen Murtala Muhammed, we have made “77”.  This time we weaved it around the real-life events of the FESTAC 77 event hosted in Nigeria. It was meant to be held in 1976, but was delayed because of the coup. We wanted it to get international attention just like its prequel, and what better stage to do that on than the Cannes Film Festival in France, the No. 1 showcase for the global film industry. The DG, Nigerian Film Corporation, wanted to put the Nigerian best foot forward, and we were very happy to give him ’77’ to do just that. Nuhu Ali stood by us.

    I want to give credit to the Minister of Culture and Tourism, who attended the Festival and added her colour to the event with her team, a first for Nigeria. Afrexim Bank was also a very instrumental asset to the core success of the occasion. It was a filmmaker’s dream, and when we talk about the government acting as an enabler or facilitator, this is what we mean. I pray that this will continue.

    Now we have secured key partners who will help us take ’77’ to greater heights, and hopefully later this year we will bring ’77’ to screens around the world. Venice, Toronto, Berlin, London, Atlanta, Houston, LA, Abuja, Lagos and of course, Port Harcourt. There is money in entertainment, if you appreciate that firewood comes before heat.

  • Tonye Princewill’s impressive performance

    Tonye Princewill’s impressive performance

    Despite being debonair with wide exposure across the world, Prince Tonye Princewill, son of the late Kalabari monarch, Prof. T.J.T Princewill Amachree XII, who passed away in June, has shown that he is in tune with his roots.

    When his father passed away, the cerebral petroleum engineer returned to the country to begin activities for the final sojourn of his father’s remains to mother earth. Tonye was said to be in tune with tradition such that he conducted the rites expected of him without hassles.

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    Unlike his peers, who would shy away from traditional practices because of their religious beliefs, Tonye was active all through with  the burial process.

    On the day of the final burial, Tonye was seen fitted in his traditional attire performing his ancestral ritual by parading his ancestors after offering them sacrifices around town barefooted.

    Those who attended were stunned. They praised him for being a ‘son of the soil’ and the  role he played in giving his late father a befitting burial according to the customs and traditions of the Kalabari People.

  • Rivers APC lashes INEC over comment on military

    The campaign organisation of the APC Governorship Candidate in Rivers state has lashed out at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for trying to rewrite history regarding the last governorship election in the state.

    Director of Strategic Communication of the campaign, Prince Tonye Princewill said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that rather than blame the military for disruption of the exercise in the state, the commission should be aware that without the military, there would have been blood bath in Rivers state.

    Princewill said “We’ve seen the statement issued by INEC and I stand by my earlier comment that even if they tried, INEC can’t save Wike. Apart from spelling mistakes, the vague statement reveals a lot of things about an umpire that doesn’t pay attention to finer detail, refuses to take any responsibility for its failures and yet goes on to equate moral equivalence between the Nigerian Army and common thugs.

    Read Also: Yoruba group hails INEC

    “That ludicrous position is where they reveal their true colours. The statement could easily have been drafted in collaboration with Rivers state Government House. Let me reiterate again that without the Army, Rivers state would have been a bloodbath.

    “Just like with INEC, we too have more to reveal in the days to come. Let’s not say too much. There is an old African proverb that says if the mouth goes to war too early, when the leg arrives, the enemy will grab it.”

  • NFVCB seizes pirated films worth N200m

    NFVCB seizes pirated films worth N200m

    The National Film and Video Censors Board ( NFVCB ) said it seized uncensored, unclassified and pirated films worth about N200 million and arrested 12 suspected pirates between March and December, 2017.

    Mr Adedayo Thomas, the Executive Director of NFVCB made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos on Wednesday.

    Thomas said that pirated items were confiscated at Alaba International Market, Lagos, Kubwa, Banex Plaza and Wuse Market in Abuja, as well as Benin City in Edo and Kaduna.

    He explained that the seized items include; DVD’s, CD’s, Production equipment and copies of several pirated films.

    “The board has scaled up its enforcement activities for the New Year and are intensifying efforts to make this evil business of pirates becomes unbearable for those that have seen it as a means of making quick money.

    “The board will ensure total sanity and get rid of pirates in the industry, while the right owners of works enjoy the fruit of their hard labour,” he said.

    According to him, the 12 suspects arrested in Lagos and Abuja would soon be charged to court for prosecution.

    Thomas said that such action would serve as deterrent to others thinking of going into such business and prevent such illegal products from selling in the market at the expense of genuine ones.

    The Executive Director added that the action was part of the board’s enforcement operations in sanitising the Nigerian market of illegal films.

    He explained that the board had lined up nationwide raid against uncensored, unclassified and pirated films to ensure that such products were completely removed from the movie market.

    The NFVCB boss noted that the motion picture industry was not all about entertainment, but a big business that must be encouraged and protected to grow and bring profit to its investors.

    Thomas said that the creative industry was acclaimed to have contributed 1.4 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP and can do more.

    He commended the Bank of Industry ( BoI ) and Tonye Princewill, the executive producer of film “79 for supporting the board to discharge its mandate effectively.

    Also Read: NFVCB confiscates pirated materials worth N150m at Alaba Market

    “Bank of industry (BoI) support the Censors Board with the sum of N500,000 and three powerful motorcycles, while Tonye Princewill gives the board N500,000 to repair its abandoned operational vehicle used for raiding of pirates on the street.

    “BoI and Tonye Prince will have been supporting any drive that would enhance the commercial viability of the films and creative industry.

    “Recently, BoI gives two powerful motorcycles to the board as part of machinery needed to carry out its work smoothly.

    “I am indeed grateful and happy towards their gesture, and I appeal to other stakeholders, individuals and philanthropists to support and partner with the board to be effective and efficient in discharging its mandate, ” he said.

    Thomas said that BoI was a major financier of the creative sector, having invested heavily in the development of infrastructure and movie production in the country.

    NAN

  • Why I am now following Amaechi –Tonye Princewill

    Why I am now following Amaechi –Tonye Princewill

    Prince Tonye Princewill, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State during the 2015 general elections recently announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC. A few days back, he told journalists that the sterling and exceptional leadership qualities of the leader of the APC in Rivers State and in the South-South geo-political zone, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is a cardinal reason he’s moving to the APC. Excerpts

    WHAT have you been up to since the 2015 elections? You seemed to have stayed away from politics? That is how it appeared. Even though I never left politics, I watched from a distance and opted to catch up on some things that had been left unattended. My fourth film (76) had been on the ice because of my focus on politics, so when things turned out how they did, it seemed like a good opportunity to bring out the film to the public. I am glad it was very well received, winning many awards including best film in Africa at the 2017 AMVCA awards and generating foreign currency in a time of recession. I also had a lot of catching up to do on other fronts. But now, my ducks are back in a row and the two year mark is up, so politics has to be more of a concern. This is what I promised my constituents. I said we will take a view at the end of year.Two. I recall how Awuse distracted Odili in 2003, I decided not to do that. I know how undue politics after an election can stifle a state. Why the move to APC and not any other party? For me all politics is local. It’s the only option left to save my state. The main opposition to PDP in the last election were the APC and the Labour Party.

    That was Amaechi and I. We were divided. If the PDP was truly moving Rivers state forward, I might be tempted to maintain the status quo. But they are not. As I speak to you, businesses are leaving us every single day. Cult violence, kidnappings and killings litter the state, the rural areas are no longer a priority and the urban areas are teeming with unemployed youths. Instead of jobs, Wike is touting Mickey Mouse projects. I can tell you, he has no clue what he is doing. So I have a choice: to stay silent or join forces to strengthen the opposition and save my state. I opted to join forces with my original party. I have to confess, reconciling with my friend and seeing the presence of Atiku, Asiwaju and Alaibe there, also did not hurt. Our minor differences aside, Amaechi is honestly a very good human being. I can be led by him. A stronger focused opposition will win the state, but even if we don’t, it will make Wike wake up. Rivers State will end up the winner. That is an outcome I can accept. How can you move to APC and say you support Buhari when there are lots of complaints all over the country that the Buhari administration has not performed.

    In fact many say this administration has failed the youths that elected Buhari? I didn’t vote for Buhari, so I was not expecting much from him. Maybe that is why I am quietly impressed by the little things turning around that I can see. I was in Maiduguri to see the improved security, there is now a genuine fear of corruption and new reduced loopholes available for it. It is clear the government has a much better understanding of the pains average Nigerians are going through and how to tackle it. I especially like his VP, I like their chemistry, plus if the President can entrust him, like he has, it tells me something about both men. After a year plus of finding their feet, things are slowly turning around. They mean well and are prepared to take hard decisions. I ask myself, who else is better. For now, I can’t see such a person emerging from the PDP or whatever they end up actually calling themselves. All the APC needs to do is improve, find a sensible accommodation for proponents of our restructuring and they can still win the next election.

    During the 2015 elections , you supported Jonathan and you were very critical of APC and Amaechi in Rivers State. What has changed that you are now moving to the party and supporting the man you attacked viciously during the elections? What has changed is that our state is more important than our differences and our egos. Wike was relying on people’s perceived hatred for APC in Rivers state and the region to guarantee his stay in power. But that again is largely misconstrued. That after all, is how he came in. I believe that when politicians put their egos aside, we will start to change that. My criticism of Amaechi was more effective than what PDP came up with because it was coming from me. Amaechi and his team also criticized me too. Very harshly. In the end, we went to the field divided and PDP supervised and won a war. It was not an election. We both lost.

    As for my support for Jonathan, it was not only politically smart, it was based on a desire to help a man who I saw as innocent and under attack. But then he gave us Wike and was head of a government where we see the kind of looting that we see being revealed today. If you are a man who struggled to fight an election with little or no support from your elite, two years of thinking can open your eyes. I fought for him but he did not fight for me. Anyway, former President Jonathan is now gone. He is not the issue again. After my opposition to him in 2011, I have paid my dues to him in 2015. We are even. Specifically, during the elections, you alleged that Amaechi sold Rivers Power plants and used the proceeds to fund the APC/Buhari elections. With the benefit of hindsight, do you still maintain that stance? You cannot detach what I said from the politics of that period. It was the season of election campaigns and there were lots of information and documents flying all over the place about the Amaechi administration. All the candidates were making different accusations and counter-accusations. I said what I said based on the information I had then.

    I have no powers to investigate and prosecute. I expected Jonathan as President then or Wike as governor now to be also thoroughly interested in getting to the bottom of it. If Wike is now satisfied, having examined the facts, the EFCC is also satisfied and the National Assembly equally satisfied enough to approve him (Amaechi) as Minister, then I have no choice but to be satisfied as well and agree that there is no substance to that allegation. In your statement, you said you won’t be running for governor of Rivers State again, so, are you looking at perhaps, going to the senate, National Assembly? No. I am not. I have been leading national political parties in Rivers state for over 10 years now, since 2006, even though I am seen as a relative newcomer in politics. I’ve been a candidate twice with no government backing.

    The leader of the party in Rivers State is Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi is now my leader. And I must add that that he’s got truly amazing leadership qualities. Stubborn but smart. People sometimes miss it. Whatever role he wants me to play, I will. No expectations. Just for a better Rivers State, post Wike. How would you assess the performance of the present Governor Wike administration in Rivers State? I give him credit for reopening the judiciary and engaging a serious contractor like Julius Berger who has a reputation to protect, but that’s about it. Even a local government chairman can do that. I can take you through sector by sector and show you how he has fallen way below the mark. From education to health to finance to transport to security to the ultimate one for me, jobs. I’ve travelled round the state and what I’ve seen troubled me enough, to pack up my ambition and join the APC. He has spent his time, playing politics. The final straw for me was when my state Labour Party Chairman was appointed a member of his Local Government Caretaker Committee. Even silence has its limits.

  • Tonye Princewill moves into entertainment sector

    Tonye Princewill moves into entertainment sector

    The world created in movies is a means of escape to so many. Not only are movies’ dreams on screens, they actualise the fantasy of eternal romance and elevate the spirit of a disheartened man. This may have lured Tonye Princewill, who has decided to be part of this effective vehicle for driving reality by bankrolling ’76’, a movie. Nigeria’s movie industry also known as Nollywood, in recent times, has continued to shift, albeit slowly, from the ridiculous to the sublime.

    Princewill recently broke the bank with the production of a multi-award winning movie, ’76’. Following this trend, Africa Magic, in collaboration with Adonis Production and Princewill’s Trust, produced ’76’, a tale of love, trust, faith and family, set against the backdrop of war and nation-building. ’76’ is an assemblage of talented Nollywood stars like Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme and many others.

    The Director, M-Net West Africa, WangiMba-Uzoukwu, said: “76 is an adventurous foray into filmmaking in Nigeria. It’s an exciting, compelling storyline that many Nigerians and, indeed Africans, will relate with. The directing and production quality are top notch, and the themes celebrate values, including courage, loyalty, patience, trust and sacrifice.

    “It also takes filmmaking up to another level in Nigeria, and we at Africa Magic are indeed excited to partner with Adonis Productions and Princewill’s Trust in bringing this movie to viewers across Africa.” Directed by award winning director, Izu Ojukwu, the movie is inspired by events which led up to and followed the botched 1976 coup d’etat.

  • Tonye Princewill Hibernates

    Tonye Princewill Hibernates

    AS you read this, Prince Tonye Princewill is somewhere trying to re-assess his involvement in the politics of Rivers, his home state. The self acclaimed digital politician (as his profile reads on Twitter) a few days ago sent out a ‘broadcast tweet’ to his followers, telling them about his decision to go into hibernation mode.

    The tweet reads: “Broadcast: Will be offline for an undisclosed period of time. Bear with me. Will re-broadcast when I resurface. The calm before the storm.”

    The Prince of Kalabari Kingdom has been very vocal about his gubernatorial ambition lately and his critical stance against the administration of the incumbent governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has deepened the animosity between the two former political associates.

    Princewill, a PDP top shot, has great battles ahead of him if he must clinch the party’s ticket. With Nyeson Wike, an influential minister in the present cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan, eyeing the same governorship ticket, the days ahead will be truly stormy for Princewill.

  • Tonye Princewill’s dilemma

    Tonye Princewill’s dilemma

    One man whose political ambition in 2015 may have come under severe threat is Rivers State-born self-styled ‘Digital Politician’, Tonye Princewill. Several months ago, the candidacy of the Kalabari prince, who wants to be the governor of oil-rich Rivers State, was a strong contender for the PDP ticket.

    But things don’t appear to be looking rosy for the politician at the moment. The crisis that has pitted President Goodluck Jonathan against Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the state appears to have changed the political equation. Amaechi has left the PDP, the platform through which he actualised his governorship ambition, for the APC. Tonye, on the other hand, remains in PDP and insists that he would not leave the party for any other; even when his benefactor and mentor, Atiku Abubakar, defected, he said on his social media pages that he would remain in PDP.

    Again, indications in Rivers State at the moment are that the PDP may not looking in his direction for its flag bearer. Besides the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, there are other aspirants on the party’s platform in the state who seem to be pulling their weights more than Princewill. However, while he pledges unflinching loyalty to the PDP, he is reported to have been a major financier of the recently registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). Many believe he is positioning PDM as an alternative platform should the PDP look elsewhere for its flag bearer.

  • Prince Tonye Princewill at a crossroads

    Prince Tonye Princewill at a crossroads

    The talk in town at the moment is the decision of Rivers political bigwig, Prince Tonye Princewill, to declare support for President Goodluck Jonathan and his hesitation in quitting the PDP even after Governor Rotimi Amaechi had bid farewell to the ruling party.

    It will be recalled that in 2007, he ran for governorship on the platform of the now defunct Action Congress. In the build-up to the 2011 governorship election in Rivers State, he had deployed his political machinery, Princewill Political Associates, to campaign for Governor Amaechi’s re-election.

    But political observers believe that he is currently in a quandary as to the political path he would follow, considering that the Presidency may throw its weight behind Nyeson Wike in the 2015 governorship election.