PRINCE TONYE PRINCEWILL JETS OUT TO EUROPE FOR FURTHER CONSULTATION ON HIS POLITICAL FUTURE AS SOUTH-SOUTH AREWA COMMUNITY AND RIVERS STATE WATERFRONT SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT URGE HIM TO MOVE TO PDP

By Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

Prince Tonye Princewill departed for Europe over the weekend in what his close political associates have described as his final lap on consultations as to the direction of his political future. He is expected to meet with family and close associates in Diaspora to deliberate on the different options available to him. Speaking to pressmen at the PH International airport prior to his departure, he stated that “It has become imperative that I meet with my wife, kids and associates in Diaspora to seek their very important counsel on the current challenges I am faced with following Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's decision to rejoin the PDP”.

He expressed appreciation for the leadership of the Rivers State AC through the State Exco, Youth, Women, Elder, stakeholders and other interest Groups who have so far urged him to rejoin PDP as well as the few individuals who have asked him to remain. He further appreciated the recent development by two groups - the Northern Forum South-South Zone comprising of the Arewa Consultative Forum, South-South who in an appeal letter to the Prince and signed by the Forum's Chairman, Alh. Musa Saidu, its Secretary, Alh. Zubairu and Chairman of the Elders Council, Mallam Ayuba Mohammad also urged him to rejoin the PDP. He also appreciated the Water Front Solidarity Movement (WSM) who through its Leadership comprising Mr. G.O. Deresima (Chairman), Karibo D. F. (Secretary), Mr Benson Joseph (PRO), Prince O. Princewill (Coordinator) in a letter dated 19th April, 2010 (copy attached) expressed its solidarity to the leadership of the Prince.

On the hurried position of those who wanted him to remain or else forfeit their support for a move, he recognized their wishes and respected their freedom to choose. “The beauty of a democracy he stated is that not everyone can agree all the time. I am happy that some have found the house I built attractive enough for them to remain in it even if I leave. My instinct is to consult widely before taking a position. They may not have the same depth of consultations to make so it should not surprise anyone that they will arrive at a position before me. I am happy with developments so far and am happy that people who can make a difference are on the right side of right and the wrong side of wrong."

He assured his supporters and well wishers that whatever decision he took in the coming days will be in the best interest of the state. “My love for my state cannot be compromised by my love for my party or myself. Everyone who knows me knows that. Political assemblies that lack ideology should give way to policies and principles on education, health, security, Niger Delta, minimum employment and the minimum wage. For once let us put the people first. How can we play this kind of politics and sleep well at night when NGOs like Save Nigeria are more effective than the opposition and the ruling party has no position on the key issues facing our country?”

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
Publicity Secretary, Rivers State AC