Rivers Guber: Princewill Picks Saronwiyo As Running Mate

BEVERLY HILLS, January 20, (THEWILL) – The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has picked Barrister Ken Nwinekina Saronwiyo as his running mate.

A statement issued Tuesday by Princewill's media aide, Wabiye Idoniboyeobu, quoting the Princewill Campaign Organisation , said after months of rigorous consultations; Princewill has finally chosen Saronwiyo as his running mate.

The statement said Princewill kept his searchlight firmly on the Ogoni region of Rivers State due to the relative economic and political neglect of the region when compared to their relevance and importance.

Saronwiyo, a respected Ogoni son, according to the statement, was recommended by a cross section of stakeholders in the region.

“From traditional rulers to men, women and youth leaders; this name kept resounding as the best man for the job. His history has been x –rayed and we are pleased to inform you that he is a man with sound intellect and uncompromising passion for his people,” the statement said.

A certified United Nations, Ambassador of Peace, who was a member of the youth wing of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1982, Saronwiyo went on to be elected the Khana/ Oyigbo, Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairman in 1991 and gradually became a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and has earned his title as a peoples person and a strong grassroots mobiliser.

Born on January 25, 1950 to the late Madam Korne Akposi Saronwiyo and late F.M.A. Saronwiyo, who was the first Ogoni elected representative, and also one time Parliamentary Secretary to the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Saronwiyo attended the Khana County Council School and got his first school leaving certificate in 1963.

He went on to attend the Birabi Memorial Grammar School and got his WASC/GCE in 1971. To further his education, young Ken Saronwiyo left the shores of Nigeria and got an A' Level in Constitutional Law from the prestigious Grange Park School, Watford. He also went through the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, London between 1972 and 1975.

The statement said because of his love and quest for sound knowledge, Saronwiyo also attended the London College of Printing in 1971, attended the University of Science and Technology and got his LLB in 1998, got his BL from the Nigerian Law School (Abuja), has a General Technical Knowledge Certificate in Printing Technology (B.F.M.P), is a member of the Institute of Management Specialists – London (M.I.M.S), and also a member of the Institute of Journalists – London (M.I.O.J).

Saronwiyo has served in various ways. He was a Secondary School Teacher in the Bodo City, Ascension High School, Eleme from 1971 to 1972, where he taught lots of prominent Rivers State Sons and Daughters. He was the Administrative/ Sales Manager of Khana Sons Ltd from 1976 to 1977; and also became the Head of Commercial Sales Department of the Rivers State Newspaper Cooperation in 1977.

Barrister Saronwiyo furthered his legal profession by becoming the Chairman (Judge) of the Customary Court, Babbe, Rivers State where he served from 2009 to 2012 and is currently the Leader of the Ogoni Stakeholders Forum.