Too early to predict who will win the presidential election, says Princewill
Former Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, PRINCE Tonye Princewill spoke to MAGNUS UGWUBUJOR about why he quit the party and the factors that will determine the election of the governorship in the state.
Peter Obi's movement appears to have the ability to shift voter demographics ahead of the 2023 election. What are your predictions? It's too early to make predictions, so let's be careful. That said, allow me to qualify what I see. If we took the picture of the election as it is now, I see the likelihood of a runoff, yes! As is. But it's too soon and a lot will happen in the next four months. For obvious reasons, and I made myself clear, I don't want to see a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the villa, but if you're not careful, the potential for a Peter Obi or an Atiku, if not fully exploited, lead us to a Tinubu as president. Why did I say that? PDP strongholds in the south-south and southeast, as well as the central belt, which are usually Atiku bases, will now be split between Atiku and Obi. One takes the voices of the other. This means, underestimate Tinubu at your peril. We found this out the hard way. Underestimate Atiku Abubakar at your peril. Governor Nyesom Wike found out the hard way. And underestimate Obi and his youngsters at your peril and you too might find out the hard way. None of these men count on their fellow men.
Your political ally, Rotimi Amaechi, has been silent since losing the presidential primary. There are rumors that he might not support Tinubu. What do you know? Nothing of the kind! I've been away as you know, so I don't have the last; but he was not happy with me when I left the APC. I told him I could be calm about a lot of things, but not about the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Before the primary, he said he would accept the outcome of a free and fair process, so like all good members of his team, we all did. But I reminded him, when he called me for my resignation, that I didn't agree with the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Just like I wouldn't accept a Christian-Christian note either. Not at this time in the evolution of our country, and not with current sensibilities.
As for noise, Amaechi doesn't need to make noise. I remember back in 2011 there was talk that he wouldn't support Jonathan because of his silence. In the end, Jonathan played politics and Amaechi played his part. We all know who became president in the end. Tinubu will play his politics.
INEC continues to advise parties to avoid inflammatory remarks during party campaigns, but it lacks the capacity to wield the big stick. Do you think that warnings would be enough to make political parties stand up? No. But words matter. Let INEC and the parties do their part; let the candidates, as well as the peace committee, do theirs. Ultimately, my advice is for the international community to do its part as well. This is what will break the camel's back. "What is that part, I hear you ask?" This is to ban politicians who have engaged in any form of political violence from traveling abroad to the European Union (EU), United States (US) and other countries partners. That alone will give politicians pause because politicians love to travel. An average politician does not fear the Nigerian justice system, but watches them queuing when abroad.
Having left APC, have you decided where to pitch your tent? I do not have! And I'm in no rush to do it. Leaving APC was the first priority, and I'm especially glad I did. I am now focusing on the candidates and not on the parties. Fighting for our future is not a game. Where I'm from is often life and death and I like to fight, but I'm tired of fighting with people who don't care. not interested in the things that matter to me. I'm tired of fighting with people who don't have a common ideology, which provides a clear basis for political positions on key issues like these. Perhaps, I will wait for the era of independent candidates, or a party that defines an ideology and defends it. A party that is truly bigger than its candidates.
APC appears to have hit the rocks in Rivers State. Does the party have a chance of winning the gubernatorial election in 2023? I don't know the details, but I am aware that there have been many defections in many directions. Within APC, some key men have left; and that's true, but if APC in Rivers is serious, they can still win the election. They have a good candidate and he has a lot of support. If they do what is necessary, they can easily win the state. Hope they do the needful. Their supporters deserve it. I may have left APC, but I still support Tonye Cole.
What do you think of the peace agreement recently signed by only six gubernatorial candidates in Rivers State, where the PDP candidate was absent? Recall that a similar situation played out before the 2019 elections...
Former Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, PRINCE Tonye Princewill spoke to MAGNUS UGWUBUJOR about why he quit the party and the factors that will determine the election of the governorship in the state.
Peter Obi's movement appears to have the ability to shift voter demographics ahead of the 2023 election. What are your predictions? It's too early to make predictions, so let's be careful. That said, allow me to qualify what I see. If we took the picture of the election as it is now, I see the likelihood of a runoff, yes! As is. But it's too soon and a lot will happen in the next four months. For obvious reasons, and I made myself clear, I don't want to see a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the villa, but if you're not careful, the potential for a Peter Obi or an Atiku, if not fully exploited, lead us to a Tinubu as president. Why did I say that? PDP strongholds in the south-south and southeast, as well as the central belt, which are usually Atiku bases, will now be split between Atiku and Obi. One takes the voices of the other. This means, underestimate Tinubu at your peril. We found this out the hard way. Underestimate Atiku Abubakar at your peril. Governor Nyesom Wike found out the hard way. And underestimate Obi and his youngsters at your peril and you too might find out the hard way. None of these men count on their fellow men.
Your political ally, Rotimi Amaechi, has been silent since losing the presidential primary. There are rumors that he might not support Tinubu. What do you know? Nothing of the kind! I've been away as you know, so I don't have the last; but he was not happy with me when I left the APC. I told him I could be calm about a lot of things, but not about the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Before the primary, he said he would accept the outcome of a free and fair process, so like all good members of his team, we all did. But I reminded him, when he called me for my resignation, that I didn't agree with the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Just like I wouldn't accept a Christian-Christian note either. Not at this time in the evolution of our country, and not with current sensibilities.
As for noise, Amaechi doesn't need to make noise. I remember back in 2011 there was talk that he wouldn't support Jonathan because of his silence. In the end, Jonathan played politics and Amaechi played his part. We all know who became president in the end. Tinubu will play his politics.
INEC continues to advise parties to avoid inflammatory remarks during party campaigns, but it lacks the capacity to wield the big stick. Do you think that warnings would be enough to make political parties stand up? No. But words matter. Let INEC and the parties do their part; let the candidates, as well as the peace committee, do theirs. Ultimately, my advice is for the international community to do its part as well. This is what will break the camel's back. "What is that part, I hear you ask?" This is to ban politicians who have engaged in any form of political violence from traveling abroad to the European Union (EU), United States (US) and other countries partners. That alone will give politicians pause because politicians love to travel. An average politician does not fear the Nigerian justice system, but watches them queuing when abroad.
Having left APC, have you decided where to pitch your tent? I do not have! And I'm in no rush to do it. Leaving APC was the first priority, and I'm especially glad I did. I am now focusing on the candidates and not on the parties. Fighting for our future is not a game. Where I'm from is often life and death and I like to fight, but I'm tired of fighting with people who don't care. not interested in the things that matter to me. I'm tired of fighting with people who don't have a common ideology, which provides a clear basis for political positions on key issues like these. Perhaps, I will wait for the era of independent candidates, or a party that defines an ideology and defends it. A party that is truly bigger than its candidates.
APC appears to have hit the rocks in Rivers State. Does the party have a chance of winning the gubernatorial election in 2023? I don't know the details, but I am aware that there have been many defections in many directions. Within APC, some key men have left; and that's true, but if APC in Rivers is serious, they can still win the election. They have a good candidate and he has a lot of support. If they do what is necessary, they can easily win the state. Hope they do the needful. Their supporters deserve it. I may have left APC, but I still support Tonye Cole.
What do you think of the peace agreement recently signed by only six gubernatorial candidates in Rivers State, where the PDP candidate was absent? Recall that a similar situation played out before the 2019 elections...
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