Tonye Princewill is not new to the political terrain, having contested for the office of governor in his native Rivers State in the 2007 general election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress.
Princewill, a member of the Kalabari Royal House has since returned to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is vying for the gubernatorial candidacy of the party in the 2015 party primaries.
In an exclusive interview with The Trent’s Ubokobong Uko (Managing Editor) and Ephraim Adele (Associate Editor), the petroleum engineer by training touches on some topical issues concerning his race for the governorship of Rivers State, his assessment of current Governor Rotimi Amaechi, his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, the decamping of his former ally and former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar from the PDP to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), his faith, and many others.
Read excerpts of the interview below:
How did your journey into politics begin?
There was a crisis in my community in 2003. In it I saw the role of politicians and the link between them and the moral decay of our society. Right then I knew that politics was too important to be left to politicians. So I sat and watched and planned for three years learning how to play politics and how to navigate the Nigerian version. Then in 2007, I got my chance.
Did your privileged upbringing play a role in your achievements?
My upbringing was middle class and still is. I carry myself appropriately so in your company I have to behave privileged. If I am with the downtrodden in t-shirts and a pair of shorts, I’d be equally at home as I would be in the White House if I were in the company of Obama. The keyword for me is empathy. You need to connect with your surroundings. It has always been key for me. I genuinely care and not many politicians do. If you bring care and empathy to the table, you already have a head start on the competition.
What are your thoughts on faith?
They are very strong. It is the key ingredient to my success and it is what has placed me on this road. Knowing what I can see and feel, I would be the last person to contest for Governor. Also even when you are on course, there will be moments when only faith can keep you steadfast. So faith is not only a catalyst to acheivments it is also an essential ingredient for maintaining success in anything you do. I have recognised that in my life and I will always forever be grateful to God for granting me His grace.
Why do you think the people of Rivers State will vote for you?
Because they can see my heart. And because they want change they can see. Many good things have happened. But they are still far away from where they need to be.
What is your plan for fixing the education system in Rivers State?
To continue from where Amaechi has stopped. He did a lot of good things but proper planning, improved services and a motivated workforce are essential to delivering quality education. I rate him good in investment, provision of infrastructure and prioritising the sector but poor in project management, educational quality and stakeholder participation. My job will be to better his best and correct his wrongs.
What is the state of your relationship with Atiku Abubakar? Do you think it will affect your chances at the primaries?
Respectful is what I would describe it as. Our political paths have parted ways for similar reasons to the way Amaechi and I differed. But the maturity of his ways has left me no choice but to respect him and his decision to leave PDP. Even though I disagree with it, even though I am dissapointed that he did not show, my idea of statemanship now when this country needs it most, I can not but have the utmost respect for him. The reasons he left PDP are well and truly manifested in the APC. It’s like moving from the frying pan to the fire. That is my opinion. But he is older in age and in political wisdom so I can not cry more than the bereaved. He has his reasons.
As for how it will affect my chances in the primaries, we’ll see. I like to take things as they come. Beyond issues of the primary, there are issues of the party and how they treat those of us who have stood up for the party when it was not fashionable to do so. The word respect rears its head again. Let us hope they treat us with respect. That will go a long way to establish the fortunes of the party in the state.
Some say at 45 years, you are too young to be governor of Rivers State, what would you say to them?
Wake up and smell the coffee. Over 70% of the voting population are the youths. Donald Duke was younger than me when he became Governor.
What is your plan to deal with cult groups and militant restiveness in Rivers State?
By example. They have nobody to look up to. The leaders do not have time for them. I will give them every excuse to define a different path. I will even walk it with them. But on the flip side of the coin, I will remind them that the old way has consequences. I have never taken sides, I have always preached peace. That is a pre-requisite trait for creating the new Rivers state we all need.
Some communities, or should we say most communities in Rivers State have been negatively impacted by oil exploration activities. What is your plan to deal with the multi-layered issue of compensation, and clean up, and the complex issue of navigating relationships between oil companies, your state government and communities?
Stakeholder participation. Most leaders start from the premise that the solution needs to be handed down. That is not my approach. I believe the solution needs to come from within us. I am probably the only candidate I know who has gone round the entire state seeking solutions to the myriad of problems facing the state. As a result I have already gone far in setting up a process that will lead to a win win for all concerned. The missing link is the Governor of Rivers state and the Federal Government and in 2015, we will address that gap.
Do you think you are prepared for the job you are vying for?
I don’t think. I know. I doubt if there is anyone better prepared than myself. I have been studying for Governor since 2006.
Your critics say you are in the campaign for entertainment value. What do you say to this?
The comment in itself is entertainment.
Would you consider joining the opposition party, APC specifically?
No. I’d rather quit politics.
The current Governor Rotimi Amaechi is a vocal critic of President Jonathan and his administration, especially on the contested oil wells between Rivers and Bayelsa State? What’s your view on the stand-off?
It is unnecesary. There are things that could have been better handled indoors and behind closed doors. I remember going to visit the Governor (Amaechi) once and on sighting me coming from afar he barked something to the effect of, “I know what you are planning. You think I don’t get security reports. You, Dickson, A K Horsfall and others are meeting in Bayelsa to plan the installation of an Ijaw governor. Come and try it let me see. Tell Dickson I have more money than him.” I stood there in complete shock. Minutes later when he noticed my silence, he asked me why I was so quiet. I replied that after all the years of working with him, it is interesting to know that all he sees me as, is an Ijaw man. Two weeks later the oil wells were taken away from him. Power is transient, to all who possess it.
Do you think President Goodluck Jonathan has done a good job and deserves a second term?
Yes I do. Across most areas. I rate him better than those before him and all this he did in spite of the huge distractions in his face. I will be supporting him for President even at the risk of my own ambition.
What’s your relationship with the President?
Cordial. Mutual respect and for me a level of amazement. He has surpassed my expectations by far. I never thought he would survive it. But he not only survived it, he superceeded it.
You have a passion for entertainment in Nigeria, what inspires this unusual inclination?
I am young at heart but for me, my passion for entertainment is strategic. Therefore, you can be sure that it is a passion that will sustain. I like it because it keeps our youths busy. And it makes them money at the same time.
You signed a communiqué along with the other governorship aspirants in Rivers essentially, expressing your displeasure at the perceived meddling of the country’s first lady Dame Patience Jonathan in the process. Can you tell us more of what is going on?
Correction: The communique we signed did not make reference to the First Lady. A statement issued by a group affiliated to the aspirants did. Ours focused on the culprits in the party at the state and national levels and made it absolutely clear, the process stage managed to produce Wike as candidate would not fly. There was no need to distract from these core issues. The First Lady as an issue sells papers and makes news. And people who either want to steer controversy or voice their displeasure sought to use our voices to make the point.
Thank you for clarifying that. In a nut shell, what’s your vision for Rivers State?
The Dubai of the Niger Delta.
How would you access Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s job in Rivers State?
1st term – 6/10. 2nd term – 2/10 so far. But it is not too late to do a lastminute.com.
Which of Amaechi’s project would you continue? And which would you discard?
I would endeavour to continue and finish all. The monorail is my biggest challenge but I have a few ideas that would not take any more of the people’s money.
Would you consider a thorough audit of the current administration if you become the governor of Rivers State?
No, I would not. But in my government, I will not expect more money to be pumped into things that have questionable processes. That would be like pouring water into a basket. I can achieve a lot more looking ahead as opposed to constantly looking behind. But in looking ahead, I will keep my eyes on the ground so that I don’t trip and fall. The terrain is the same. We have learnt from the mistakes of our predecessors.
Thank you for your time, sir.
Thanks too, for having me on your platform.
