International businessman, Kalabari prince, former heavyweight in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State, Tonye Princewill, says people like him are thrilled by every word that emanated from the mouth of Muhammadu Buhari, the new president, immediately after his inauguration at the Eagles Square in Abuja, Friday.
Princewill, who began in the Action Congress (AC), moved to the PDP and broke off after Nyesom Wike was made governorship candidate only to pitch tent with the Labour Party (LP), has at last congratulated Wike but sued for peace.
In a reaction after the inaugurations Friday, Princewill, who has deep connections with youths of the Niger Delta, described the new president as the leader of the black nation, and expressed pleasure with Buhari’s encouraging pronouncements on the Niger Delta.
He said: “I’d like to thank him for a well worded speech and encourage him to stick to every word, especially the ones that appeared in the sentence.
According to him, Buhari’s “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” signifies a collective interest and this can only be good for Nigeria.
“Let me also thank him for prioritising security, the Niger Delta, power and unemployment as we feel these are the key issues facing Nigerians today. Our democracy was subjected to a severe test and it is clear to the whole world that our nation in general passed it. The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan former president, a sincere gentleman, has played an enormous role in that and I am glad my support for him has been justified,” he said.
On Wike, Princewill said: “In spite of our differences, you are governor of Rivers State. Though we were dissatisfied with the election, we cannot wrestle with the Constitution. Rivers’ people have suffered enough and the state has been stagnated by petty party politics. We need to put this aside and make haste to bring succour to Rivers people. Now, the unfortunate days are behind us, I implore you to show Rivers people you have what it takes to make them smile. Provide leadership for all. They are waiting. I am waiting because I know if Rivers people smile, so will I. Likewise if they cry, I will too. You have to do the needful. Time is not your friend”.
He went on: “Politics is about service, service is about duty; a duty to the people. We all have a role to play at God’s appointed time. Like I always say a better future for Nigeria and Rivers State guides all my decisions, and for this I will do everything within my power to help move the country and the state forward; even if it means setting aside personal gains or ambitions. My prayer is that all of you, who have been given the oath of office today, work with sincere, bold and well meaning Nigerians to be the best that we can be. We have no state or country other than this. Let us begin to harness its potential. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is here. That for me is already an opportunity”.
Princewill once withdrew a court case (2007) against the PDP and joined hands to work with Chibuike Amaechi. He broke off to remain in the PDP and supported Jonathan when Amaechi went to the APC.
Ignatius Chukwu
