Groups Urge Prince Tonye Princewill To Defect To PDP
Rivers State Action Congress various units, the Exco, chaired by Mr. Suage Alex Badey, the women's wing, manned by Mr. Edith Wele, the youth wing, led by Mr. Norisia Pepple, serving Commissioners, some state chairmen of the party, disabled persons, Muslim and Christian religious groups amongst others have urged Prince Tonye Princewill to without much ado defect to PDP
This present appeal followed a three week consultation embarked upon by the Prince to inform his teeming loyalists on the current political trend and its consequences. While loyalists of the Prince had opined that former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's defection to PDP had created vacuum in Action Congress they added that it would expose the Rivers State Chapter or the party to 'undemocratic elements eager to hijack the party for selfish gains'.
In a press statement signed by the party's publicity secretary Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze stated: “AC they felt could no longer provide him the democratic national outlook he was seeking. His options therefore where to either resign from politics or rejoin his former party the PDP and do his best for Nigeria from there. En masse and except for a few dissenting voices they opted for the latter. In spite of this feedback received on the road, the Prince at every juncture had asked his supporters to put their views on record and in writing”.
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“In support of the above, the Rivers State Action Congress Care-Taker-Committee (CTC) led by Hon. Suage Alex Badey in conjunction with six other members of the Committee has in a resolution signed by each of them urged the Leader of the State Chapter, Prince Tonye Princewill to join the PDP as a step to move the State forward. While the stakeholders led by Dr. Ibiamu Ikanya the Hon. Commissioner of Special Duties and Barr Osima Ginah in their own resolution stated, “We the political Associates of Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill in the Rivers State politics after extensive discussion on the current political realignment in the country, the future of opposition political parties, the collapse of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and the state of affairs in Rivers State and having critically appraised the character, nature and content of the current political dynamics in Nigeria, we hereby resolves as follows: 1. That the decision of National Leader of AC, Alh. Atiku Abubakar decision to return to PDP a party he actually participated in forming is a welcome development. 2. That our Leader, Leader of RS AC and Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill should rejoin the PDP. 3. That our stand is based on extensive consultations with members of our constituencies, among ourselves and in the general interest of our dear State as we will do everything humanly possible to support this great idea”. Other members of the Stakeholders Forum of the Princewill Political Associates are Alh. Musa Saidu, Chairman of the Rivers State AREWA and Hausa Community In Rivers State, Bishop (Dr) Boma Lawson of West African Mission, Dr. Mrs Edith Wele, the RS AC Women Leader, the LG Chairmen of the party, members of the RS AC CTC, Chief Gani Topba, Bishop Mike Ifijeh of Covenant Faith Assembly, Bishop Prince F.E. Gideon of Word Alive Xtian Centre and Bishop Felix Ezebuwo of Open Door International Church, Rev. dr Abiye Princewill, Rev. Dr. Ugoh Amaechi, Rev. Dr. Ugoh Lawrence and Rev. Dr. Fyne Amadi among others”
The rest of press release has it that, “the Youths leaders of the party in the 23 Local Government Areas of the State under the State Youth Leader, Mr. Norisia Pepple after their meeting of 2nd April, 2010 resolved and stated “After being disappointed with the failure of NDM/AC Merger and considering the quality of leadership of Tonye Princewill we the Youths of Rivers State urges and pleads with the Leader, Prince Tonye Princewilll to join PDP as we are ready to follow him as AC may not be a good platform to actualize our dream for the Rivers State people”. Other stratum of the party including the women Group, Elders and stakeholders have in their various resolutions urged Prince Tonye Princewill to join PDP being the only credible platform through which we can make bring our vision for the State to pass”.
“In another development, about 23 Churches coordinated by Rev. Dr. Ugo Amaechi and Bishop Boma Lawson reasoned that the Prince instead of quitting politics as being threatened should join PDP so as to deepen our democracy and brighten the future of Rivers State/Niger Delta. We offer this advice taking into consideration our belief in the difference the Prince has brought into our politics urging him to heed to our sound counsel”.
“In a letter by the Physically Challenged Persons Association in Rivers State signed by Saturday Dobie stated that they have indentified the Prince as a potential Leader in the State and support the call on him to join PDP in order to bring to pass the wish of God to the State”.
The Prince thanked the various groups for their loyalty to follow him in whatever decision he made and pleaded with his supporters to exercise patience so that the consultation would be exhaustive.
Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.