PRINCE TONYE PRINCEWILL UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE RIVERS STATE AC GROUPS, STAKEHOLDERS, CHURCHES AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS TO JOIN PDP EVEN AS HE JETS TO LONDON AND WASHINGTON TO CONSULT WITH FAMILY AND ASSOCIATES
The Rivers State Action Congress Exco led by Hon. Suage Alex Badey, it's entire Women's wing led by Dr. (Mrs.)Edith Wele, a majority of its Youth leaders across the state led by Hon. Norisia Pepple, Elders, several state party Chairmen and their excos, serving Commissioners, disabled groups, previous candidates and a variety of other stakeholders including Christian and Muslim religious groups and other ethnic bodies have in their various resolutions (copies attached) urged Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill to without further delay rejoin PDP and help bring their vision for the State to pass under the leadership of the Rt Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
This latest development comes hot on the heels of a marathon three week intense consultation process that the Prince undertook to intimate his supporters on developments in the national politics and its implications on Rivers state. You may recall that Atiku's recent announcement of his return to PDP was greeted with overwhelming support from his associates of which the Prince is reputed to be a South South pillar. The Prince in conjunction with others from around the country followed the verbal endorsement with a written letter to the Acting President and the PDP National Party Chairman.
Supporters of the Prince had stated that Atiku's leaving had left a huge hole in AC and would leave Rivers AC exposed to undemocratic elements eager to hijack the party for selfish gains. Where before they were willing to fight that battle to prevent instability of governance in the state, now they no longer felt that threat was anywhere near as potent especially since they now had bigger fish to fry in the battle to save not just the state or the region but the entire country. 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.
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
In the same vein, 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 while thanking them for their willingness to follow him in whatever decision he made pleaded with his supporters to exercise patience so that the consultation would be comprehensive. He explained that not only politicians and friends would be consulted but other stakeholder groups as well like eminent personalities, opinion leaders, the media and my family. He described the decision as the toughest in his short but eventful political career and prayed for God to grant him the wisdom to carry his people along. He called on all his people inside and outside of AC that found his style of politics acceptable to be rest assured that whatever decision reached will not mean a change in objective or ideals, just a change in approach. He pleaded with all to avoid acrimony since as brothers we were free to pursue the path most suitable to achieving our objectives. If you want to keep getting what you are getting keep doing what you are doing. Different results do not come from the same process. Unless the process is changed the results will remain the same. This is what he has taught us and there is no doubt he appreciates this as well.
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
Publicity Secretary, Rivers State AC