I'M NOT DESPERATE TO BE GOVERNOR, but I remain the flag bearer of Labour Party - Tonye Princewill
1.
After everything, the Rivers governorship election has been
annulled by the Tribunal with an order for the conduct of fresh election
within 90 days. How do you feel about this judgment?
Any
lover of true democracy and justice who witnessed what happened will
not be surprised by the judgment. I belong to that group. The elections
were neither free nor fair nor credible, so they can’t stand honest
scrutiny. I have said this repeatedly. The APC won the case for all of
Rivers State, kudos to them. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and
the same people in the APC today were also the beneficiaries of that
fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the
state. I am not thinking like APC or PDP. I did not say I am celebrating
or disappointed by the judgement. I said I am not surprised by it. But
in Rivers politics, some analog politicians can not understand the
difference.
2.
People were confused as to which side of the divide you belonged
after Wike was declared winner in the election, because you didn’t
contest the outcome in court. Won’t your support of the judgment raise
questions?
Why?
In my Post Election Statement in April, I clearly highlighted my
displeasure in the outcome of the elections. I said It is no longer in
doubt that the election in Rivers State was neither free nor fair nor
credible. I added that rather than the Jubilation of a victory or the
recriminations of a defeat, I and my team prefer to keep searching for
peace. I lamented on the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter
how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who
will be left to lead. This did not only show my disappointment in the
conduct of the election but also my concern over peace in my state. It
is not about taking sides with PDP or APC, it is about the truth. Both
parties were violent. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount
to aligning with the PDP, going to court would be tantamount to aligning
with the APC. There was no additional value in my going to court. I
didn't steal money so I will not spend hundreds of millions on lawyers
and Arik like my people do not need help for other more important
things. But my views were clear and consistent, even if my actions were
too strategic for some to grasp.
3.
Leadership of your party - the Labour Party in Rivers State has
disassociated itself from your statement praising the Tribunal’s
judgment, on the premise that you are on suspension. How would you
react to this?
To
the best of my knowledge we have freedom of speech and right of opinion
in Nigeria. My statements have always been my opinion and until
recently my party has always fallen in line with my thinking. From what I
gathered, the state party Chairman dissociated the party from my recent
comments on the outcome of the tribunal; but it baffles me that the
party’s position is in line with the same comment they are now
disowning. They after all submitted a petition to the same election
tribunal. It’s also funny to note that a chieftain of the party
condemned the judgment only a few days ago, claiming to be speaking on
behalf of the Party Chairman. This is not just an embarrassment to my
party, but a clear indication of confused leadership. I'll leave
everyone to his conscience. I have mine. No matter how much inducement
you put in front of me, I cannot say black is white. People need to
realize we are now in a digital world. Black and white TVs have been
replaced by colour. No need to say anymore.
4.
Does this in anyway pose a threat to your being fielded again as the
party flag bearer in an event there gets to be a rerun election?
No
it doesn’t. I am the Flag Bearer of the Labour Party. A court has ruled
and given judgement to that effect. But let me tell you, it is the fear
of my candidature that is causing these waves. They need not bother.
I've not said I will contest and for now based on PDPs refusal to heed
my advice, there is no vacancy. I am not at all desperate to be
Governor. I just gave my opinion on the judgement saying I was not
surprised. Now they say I am celebrating. Why all the fuss? Had no idea
my opinion was this relevant.
5.
I understand you dragged the party leadership to court over your
suspension. What is the status of the case at the moment?
Yes
I did. I saw no justifiable reason for the purported suspension, so I
simply took my concerns to the court. If people have been induced to
kick me out of the party, the attempt should be made properly, not based
on baseless allegations. He claimed anti party activities. Tell me. Are
his current actions not anti party? My lawyers have briefed me that the
Party leadership have severally snubbed the court proceedings. I know
the court will soon come up with a position on that matter, like they
did on my candidature. Till then, I remain a proud member of the Labour
Party and the movement. He on the other hand remains in contempt of the
court.
6. Do you see yourself doing better than you did earlier should you partake in the anticipated re-run as LP candidate?
I
am yet to take a position on the role to play in the rerun; but even if
I do partake, it’s really not about me. It’s about the decision of the
people. They all know the political players in the state. They all know
the possible after effect of a PDP or an APC victory. Politics is not
war. There must be a winner and a looser. I am comfortable with either,
because I am not desperate to be Governor; PDP and APC are. How that
will produce a peaceful Rivers State, I am yet to find out. If Rivers
People want Unity, Peace, a Government they can reach and believe that
their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a
better chance. PDP and APC need to adopt it. If they do, I may even
support one of them. What matters is the state must move forward.
7. What if your party insists you are not its candidate? Will there be otherOPTIONS_?
That’s
really not possible, and the court will confirm that shortly. People
shouldn’t be distracted by irrelevant issues. The truth is, democracy is
here to give everyone a stake in governance, our primary concern is a
better Rivers State. I know the Labour Party members are well grounded
on honesty and the rule of law, a few distracted individuals, moved by
short term thinking, will not change that. Amaechi was expelled from the
PDP in 2007. What happened next is there for all to recall.
8.
You said after the election that you were not aligning with
either APC or PDP as allegedly requested by some people in your party.
Do you still maintain your non-alignment stance, despite the Tribunal
judgment that sacked Wike and others?
Yes
I do. I stand outside the PDP and the APC box and with the peace
loving, forward thinking people of Rivers state. Not a popular position
for many of our politicians, there is no money here, but it is here I
find comfort. My opinions may help APC today or PDP tomorrow, that is
not my problem. I do not speak for them. What remains consistent is my
commitment to the comfort of the common Rivers man. I believe that the
hate for Amaechi or APC b/c of what they did to Jonathan should not
cloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth. If PDP is the
beneficiary of this sham today, APC should know that they can't try it
tomorrow. Will I not complain if that happens? Of course I will. If
electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrow.
9. Are you optimistic that a rerun will not experience violence like it was in the last election?
I
wish it was in my power to determine that. But it’s not. It will take a
lot of sacrifice from both the PDP and the APC and efforts from us all
to have a rerun free of violence. Like I said they are both desperate
for victory, I am desperate for a safe and secure Rivers State, so it’s
left for them to decide whether or not to sacrifice their supporters for
political victory. Having said that, please note what I have said. If
there are no consequences for electoral violence, electoral violence
will continue. And sons, daughters, mothers and fathers will die. The
truth is what will free us from this. If our leaders looked at people as
Rivers people and not APC people or PDP people, we will make progress.
The state belongs to everyone not PDP or APC or GDI. The politics of
winner takes it all is killing us. The price of loosing is way too
high.
10.
Any word about President Buhari’s ongoing cabinet formation,
particularly the inclusion of your former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi?
We’ve
waited so long for this, and are eager to see the difference it will
make. And like I always say, President Buhari is the President, whether
his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus
more on helping him, than pulling him down. I know Amaechi; and I know
his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC and if he missed the VP
slot and the SGF slot, why should PDP loose sleep if he becomes a
Minister? I was praying Rivers state don't disgrace ourselves before the
world. I am glad we did not totally disgrace ourselves. I am not sure
his inclusion did the President any huge favours in perception ratings,
but perception is subjective to the individual and so we will leave each
to their own. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people
are watching. I believe though that with the right motivation, cross
party support and a little prayer, he can be a useful tool in Buhari’s
cabinet. Let us leave it to God.
11.
What can you say about the controversy that surrounded Amaechi's
ministerial screening at the Senate, particularly from Rivers Senators?
Let
me just say I hope it is over. After a while it became too much, I lost
interest. I advised the PDP senators, they should let it be - they have
made their point. I am happy that the amusement for some has been cut
short. I was abroad and I know what people who matter are saying about
us.
12. Do you regret not defecting to the APC way before the 2015 elections?
No.
Why should I? The ideology of the APC at that time was, “Bring Down
Johnathan”, and I was on a totally different wavelength. So regretting
is not a possibility. I am also happy I left the PDP. You can't mistreat
a man with a mandate and expect him to stay silent and clap for you.
Not me. I have good supporters. I have a caucus and I do not act alone.
We listen and we learn. Of course we make mistakes. That's why pencils
have erasers. But in all we do, we do it not for ourselves, but for the
Rivers people. God is with us.
13. What is your take on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign?
The
anti-corruption campaign was the foundation of the Buhari campaign, so
it is expected that a lot would be happening in that area. So far so
good but it is yet to enjoy the confidence of all sides. The reason for
this is obvious. Not a lot of APC people are in the dock. I suggest we
stay tuned, there is still plenty time for that. No man who is just
settling in will fight on too many fronts. Besides it is for the
agencies charged with these responsibilities to do their work, unless
there is evidence to show, the Presidency is interfering, let us await
the results. He's only just begun. The nation is watching. And they will
pass judgment in a few years. If the tone does not change, the
President and the APC will loose votes.
14. Your message for Rivers people.
Do
not be disillusioned. Rivers state is too big to be forgotten. God is
at work here and this is something we must go through to reach our very
own promise land. The times are divided. Along artificial lines.
Political parties come and go. But our people will remain. Talk of
another election is in still far in front of us. A week is a long time
in politics, so let us focus on what we can do now. For me let us find
peace. Because without it, we can not get investment, jobs, development
and empowerment. Move away from 2 dimensional thinking. There is more to
life than PDP or APC. Not every comment is for one or the other.
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