Amidst the ongoing violence in Rivers State, one of the political gladiators in the last election, Prince Tonye Princewill has called for a cessation of hostilities saying both former governor Rotimi Amaechi and his successor, Nyesom Wike can still be friends in the interest of the people.
In a statement he personally signed he said he was compelled to speak out having observed the recent killings, the unrest and the state of insecurity in the state and with the forthcoming rerun elections in mind.
“Political parties come and political parties go, politicians who are on opposing sides in the morning, may end up exchanging words in the afternoon and enjoying laughter and drinks together at night. When the dust settles, we will still need you all, alive and well”, he told the people.
According to Princewill who was the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in last year’s election, his greatest joy from the last election was that none of his supporters lost their lives. Saying this is not do or die.
“Nobody wants to associate with soul killers. Living by the sword only invites the sword into your life. Think deeply. Shun all forms of violence. Power is transient and it rests with God, so please find peace. I needed to say this to you. And you need to listen”, he stressed.
He expressed concern over the Supreme Court judgment on card readers. His words: I will not lie that the implication of the Supreme Court judgment on the card reader is a cause for concern. If PDP can disregard card readers in 2015, why will APC not attempt to do likewise in 2016? Free and fair elections were never a standard in these parts, but now, I fear the arrival of a new low. For those who will still participate in the exercise, I will not tell you how to vote, my preference has always been for the person, not the party. Just like I will not insist my doctor or my Pastor must be a Labour Party member. I’ll vote for candidates based on their competence. Those who shun violence and have an agenda for their people, will always get my attention”.
On the political differences between Amaechi and Wike, he said both Amaechi and Wike are his friends, adding: “I don’t hate either of them. We had differences in political opinion and sometimes disagreed on method and approach, even when there was agreement on direction.
“On the subject of Jonathan, I agreed with Wike. On the subject of the 2015 election in Rivers State and its conduct, I agreed with Amaechi. Both issues are now in the past and so we have to move on. Whether you like it or not, Wike is the Governor of Rivers State and so his failures or successes belong to all of us. I will always continue to volunteer my support to either of them, in the event they seek it, providing I can do so from within my party and they are prepared to genuinely listen.
I will not take sides with either PDP or APC. To me, they are both the same. Two sides. Same coin.
“Besides, this is not the time for division, it is the time to unite. Granted there is a rerun election on the way, but it will soon come and go. By His grace, we will still be here. Let us think beyond just elections. Now that I am back, I will seek to build consensus where we can agree, between parties and among the political class. Wike, Dakuku, myself.
“The challenging environment that we are faced with, impacts all of us. We need a multi-party approach to our problems and all hands will need to be on deck to achieve solutions. Wike is Governor for all. Not just PDP. He needs to avoid responding to every APC comment, avoid the pettiness of politics and focus on governance.
“Yes the elections don’t help, but fortunately they are around the corner. So let them come and go. We are falling behind. We have no time to quarrel and fight. People are leaving PH daily and so are the businesses. Insecurity is rife. Where will the jobs come from and how are we going to empower the youth? That alone should be the priority for all of us. So please do not die for APC or PDP. Live for Rivers state and let Rivers state live for you”, he stressed.
He described the ongoing killings as senseless and condemned them in their entirety, saying it is time to let bygones be bygones. We all make mistakes. That is why pencils have erasers. There is plenty of work that is needed to be done. Let us agree to begin to do it”, he added.
Credit: Guardian
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