Princewill Warns Against Return Of Violence

A governorship aspirant under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Tonye Princewill has warned his party and Rivers people that the state run the risk of returning to where it was in 2007 if the party and the people do not choose wisely.
Princewill, who was the Action Congress (AC) made the warning in his declaration speech noted that the state may return to violence, kidnappings, politics of bitterness and ethnic divisions if the party and the people refuse to vote wisely in the next governorship primaries and elections.
According to him, ‘’ We all know where this state has come from. In 2007, we had a state that only a few of us were proud of. Almost eight years later, we run the risk of returning to that state. Violence, kidnappings, politics of bitterness and ethnic divisions has re-emerged and the peace we all enjoyed is flickering like a candle in the wind.  We have to save this state.’’
The aspirant, who refused to make promises but would rather ask the people what they want him to embark on, stating that this was the reason in 2012, his team carried out a baseline survey of the wants and needs of Rivers people across almost 200 communities in the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, asking people what they feel about government, the gaps they see in service delivery and what they would like done differently.
‘’The results of that survey and my team’s idea of effective solutions is the framework from which a roadmap for the renewal of Rivers state has emerged. The first of its kind by a civilian’’, he said.
Princewill noted that since his ambition is primarily to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan, working for a party that will not promote that agenda would not really be an option.
According to him,‘’Even if by some miracle of omission, the All Progressives Congress (APC) offered me the ticket on a platter of gold, I would not take it. In addition, being an “observer” in this climate reminds me of the phrase that a spectator is either a coward or ignorant. I’d like to think that I am neither. That leaves me only two options – running for Governor or retiring from politics and facing my businesses’’, he said.
He said he may return back to his business and family if he does not achieve his dream of serving the people he has worked for the men and women of the state his own prosperity is at risk.
‘’If I am not chosen, I will leave the field of play and take a back seat to help support and usher in a new style of leadership.
Princewill, however, promised to lay the foundations of a new Dubai in the Niger Delta, which he said would bring peace.
He also assured to create employments, close ranks across party and community lines, build bridges across ethnic divides and give Rivers people a reason to smile again as well as provide a new transport system, investment in low cost and medium cost housing, bring the much needed development to the rural areas and make time for a truly decentralized Rivers State.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in a handshake with his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru during an inspection tour of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex, venue of the October 25th APC mega rally in Port Harcourt, yesterday.