Date Published: 01/21/10

Prince Tonye( TJT)Princewill Inroads in Rivers State and FOOPP By Onukwube Uwanu

When Prince Tonye Princewill made known his ambition to contest for the governorship seat under the platform of the Action Congress (AC) in Rivers state, before the 2007 election, his father, His Royal Majesty, King (Prof) T.J.T Princewill, the Amanayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom was frightened because of what has become to be known as the ‘do or die affair politics’ which has characterized Nigerian politics.

One of the compelling factors that propelled this rare breed into the murky waters of Nigerian politics according to reliable sources was the 2004 -2005 Buguma crisis which claimed many innocent lives, and property worth millions naira of were lost. The crisis which was caused by a few cabal of politicians, alongside rival militant groups who were not able to contain it, was later brought under control by Prince Tonye Princewill and other well meaning and concerned natives of kalabari kingdom.

Ever since then he has endeared himself to many, even to the level that people now call him not only the ‘Prince of Peace’ but also ‘the Prince of Niger Delta Politics’.

His peaceful disposition is further buttressed by his cessation of hostilities to the present administration when the Supreme Court removed Sir Celestin Omehia and ushered Hon. Rotimi Chibuike into the Bricks House in what is known today to be commendable, landmark and unprecedented ruling. His cessation of hostilities which culminated in the withdrawal of his case against Amaeche’s led-administration was informed by his (princewill’s) love, peace and development of his state. Though this change of course by Princewill did not appeal to most of AC’s national leaders who would loved to see him continue with the case. Having decided to join the Unity Government of Amaechi after due consultation with party’s national leaders, rumour was at then, making round that he would be removed as the leader of AC.

After critical study of Nigerian politics and based on his sagacious and pragmatic inclinations Princewill resolved to withdraw AC’s case against Amaechi and afterwards joined the unity government which has brought relative and laudable changes in the areas of tourism and entertainment, education, road construction, healthcare system, employment etc.

His partnership in the Rivers state administration was well captured by Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo during princewill’s 40 th birthday. In Dr. Nwodo’s words: “His ability to suppress his ambition to be the governor of Rivers state and to identify with a governor he sees genuine leadership in, in order to walk Rivers state to the promise land is not easy. It is rare in politics and it is a lesion to all young politicians and future politicians in Nigeria”.

The AC leader once said, “In politics, my own interest is the interest of Rivers state and that is my predominant focus. No wonder he turned down monetary gratification offered him by forces within PDP who also promised to give him evidence to prove that the 2007 election was rigged. The gesture was to encourage Princewill to continue his case against Amaechi and to see that he was removed from the Government House and pave way for fresh election but Princewill refused to accept the offer.

As a change agent and having been familiar with abandoned projects, Princewill was instrumental to the sand filling of Kalabari National College that was almost submerged by flood a as result of the overflowing of the bank of a river close to the college. What is today known as the Buguma Shore Protection Project aimed at reclaiming the adjourning land from Kalabari National College was executed by him to save the college from untimely collapse.

In an unemployment ravaging society and being an employment agent, Princewill has been able to employ thousands of youths and graduates through his investment initiatives which cut across oil and gas, telecommunication, information technology etc. These youths would have been unemployed, indolent or at worse social misfits but God forbid. Not done yet, Princewill is the brain behind his father’s Pet Project and Scholarship Scheme where over 150 Kalabari undergraduates and post-graduates around the globe benefit from the scholarship programme yearly. In addition, he has not relented in giving alms to the less privileged individuals, groups or organization either morally, financially or otherwise. One of such assistance was the donation of a bus to the National Association of Ijaw Female Students (NAIFS), an umbrella body of Ijaw female students both in Nigeria and Diaspora.

He is one of the members of the Niger Delta Technical Committee who drew up a blue print report that will bring about fair play, equity, justice etc to the marginalized Niger Deltans. Regrettably, the Federal Government has not deem it necessary to implement the recommendations in the report  which is believed by many will ameliorate the level of agitation in the region. More so, it disheartens Niger Deltans after sleepless nights used to put the report together by the members, the FG has not demonstrated enough political will to implement it.

After a critical study of Princewill’s brand of politics and his contributions towards the development of Rivers state by political strategist and big weights from various political parties in the state, and after meaningful consultation with their various national leaders, on the 18 th of April 2009, Chairmen of 18 political parties under the auspices of Forum of Opposition Political Parties (FOPP) convened a press conference through the forum Leader, Chief Harry Alaye and decided to adopt Prince Tonye TJT Princewill as its Leader. Similarly, on the 23 rd of April 2009, the Organized Opposition Political Parties (OOPP) in Rivers state addressed a press meeting borrowing a leaf from FOPP by adopting Princewill as its Leader.

The coming together of FOPP and OOPP gave birth to what is known in Rivers state today as the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties made up of 44 political parties, AC inclusive, with Princewill being at its helm of affairs.

As you and other like mind politicians continue to chart a new course in the socio-political destiny of Rivers state and Niger Delta Region, the sky will not only be your limit but also your starting point. May God bless you and our dear state, Rivers State.   

Onukwube Uwanu, a social critic writes in from Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State