In this interview, Prince Tonye Princewill spoke on national politics, his current relationship with his “good friend”, Rotimi Amaechi, his political mentor, Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike. He also aired his view on President Buhari’s administration, the road so far, the way forward and why Nigerians are “fantastically foolish”.
You have been quiet. No press interviews except for occasional press releases and even then, they were more about your new blockbuster film 76. Are you no longer a member of the Labour Party?
The Labour Party is not without a sin. But its own sin can still be managed. In Rivers State; I take pride in not being part of the problem. I am glad you acknowledged that I have not been talking. Life is not only about politics. The biggest problem in Nigeria today is politics and lack of internal party democracy. Good candidates hardly get party tickets. Rather, confirmed thugs, touts, thieves and looters carry party tickets, leaving the poor voters with no real choice. Why? The party leaders and electoral bodies prefer their own personal interests to the interest of the people. So we wait for the day when the people will fight back. That day will soon come. Let me be where I am until I have a compelling reason to find a new home. I am not desperate for power. I am desperate for results. Those who lead the fight may not benefit from it. The truth is bitter. If it is my portion to fight, then it may not be my portion to also benefit from the successes of that very same fight. That is why I’ve removed myself from any future electoral contest. I’ll simply rededicate myself in helping good people to hold public office. It does not have to be me. I no longer want to be Governor, I am not looking for an appointment, but I still want to improve my state, my region and my country. So let ambition not get in my way.
How is your relationship with Amaechi? Are you still communicating?
Yes. We parted ways before the election because of how my team was treated and his decision not to support Jonathan but we have since gone past that. Amaechi is not a vindictive person. He goes with his conviction. His message to me was that PDP had no love for either me or my people and he was right. My message to him was that there is a consequence for fighting Jonathan. And I was right too. When we parted ways, he and his team said some very unsavory things about me. I extended my hand of friendship to both APC and PDP after the elections. Only Amaechi as Minister took my offer. He visited me in my house and we ended up flying that same day to Kano together. I consider him a “good friend” and a fighter. Politics is not a ‘do or die’ affair for me. That was over a year ago. We still talk from time to time and when I needed the high military authorities to see my film 76, he did not hesitate to make some calls for me. Everything is not about money.
What about your Governor, Nyesom Wike?
Like I said, in spite of the rigged election, I extended my hand of friendship to him too. I did not go to court. I left him to proceed as ordained by INEC. When the Supreme Court judgement was dropped on us, just like it was in 2007, we accepted it again. No fuss. I offered my congratulations and help to Wike in any way he wanted, but not a word, no response, no invitation. Except during a radio interview when I advised him to resist the need to respond to every APC comment and instead focus on developing the state. It was then he responded, pointing out that I had no idea what I was talking about because I was not even in the state. My counter advice is if you know so much about my whereabouts, divert some of the state resources used to tracking me to track down the kidnappers and armed robbers in the state. Let us see where we are by the end of May before we speak further. Even rulers can deliver. My own is to wish him well and offer advice, even if he refuses to take it. My agenda is not personal, it’s issue based. Many Governors are hiding behind Buhari to explain their poor performance.
What about Alhaji Abubakar Atiku? Is he still your political mentor?
Of course. What Turaki can do in his sleep politically, most top politicians cannot do it even if they don’t sleep. He knows too many people, he is not arrogant and knows too much about how to move this great country forward. Like with Amaechi, he is not at all vindictive, but they are both very stubborn like Tinubu. That is what I admire in them. Put them on the same page and you have a force of nature. PDP felt it in 2015 and also in 2007 in Rivers State. If not for Atiku and Tinubu, Amaechi’s first tenure would not have been smooth. Seeing them all in APC makes the platform quite tempting if not for the recession mood and their seeming divisions. The two symptoms are indicative of a bigger problem I am yet to understand. Both the APC and the PDP as presently constituted are unable to deliver Nigeria. They are both very similar. The real change has to start within them. No third force is ready to challenge them yet, instead it looks like the smaller parties are merging into even bigger ones.
What’s your take on Buhari’s administration?
I didn’t vote for him. Neither did I vote for Wike. But unlike some people who actually voted for either of them, I’m ready to give both of them their two years before I take a formal position. So far, their records speak for themselves. I am not the man in the street so even though I feel their pain, when I talk, it must be without sentiment and constructive. Good governance is not an emotional exercise. For now, I pray for both of them, especially Mr. President. Running this country requires a lot of wisdom, strength and grace. From what is in play now, it is clear he’s not been operating at full strength. I am sure he is reflecting on the journey so far. It is not too late to turn things around for either Buhari or Wike. But time is not on their side. Do they have a plan?
What about the Buhari anti-corruption drive?
Some people think it is selective. Let’s congratulate the EFCC and the ICPC first. They should continue to catch thieves even faster. Those enjoying APC immunity today should not be surprised if tomorrow they are victims too. I don’t see Buhari as someone who cannot jail his party member or his friend. I suspect the stealing in Nigeria has been significantly reduced, but it has not been stopped.
What is the way forward?
Beware of people who pose like they have all the answers. Leadership is a teamwork. To solve a big problem; you really have to understand it. Let me not prescribe for you a prescription to an ailment I’m yet to properly diagnose. However, I can say this; based on feelers I’ve received and our recent history, Nigerians are still deceiving themselves. The same politicians they are fighting for describe them as ‘fantastically foolish’. They worship wealth and corruption more than they worship hard work and sacrifice. The good news is that every day, more and more Nigerians are becoming wise to the ways of politicians and are prepared to confront them. One day, all this nonsense will stop. Politics is too important simply to be left to just the politicians.
