THE AUDACITY OF THE PRINCE OF NIGER DELTA POLITICS @ 40

Audacity according to Encarta Dictionaries of 2007 means boldness, daring or willingness to challenge assumptions or conventions or tackle something difficult or dangerous. At the age of 40 assumed to be the beginning of life, the need of examining the deeds and actions of Prince Tonye TJT Princewill who celebrated his 40th Birthday in style on 4th January at Port Harcourt in line with the above truism becomes imperative. For avoidance of doubt, Prince Tonye TJT Princewill is the crown Prince of the Kalabari Kingdom, the largest clan (33 Communities) in the Ijaw land and a true son of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria being the son of a famous academic and prominent King in Nigeria; King Prof TJT Princewill the Amanyanbo of Klabari Kingdom, Amachree xi. Prince Tonye Princewill apart from being the Leader of Rivers State Action Congress (a political party in Nigeria) since 2006 till date is the youngest member of the Rivers State Economic Advisory Committee and a member of the Presidential Niger Delta Technical Committee saddled with the responsibility of fashioning out the future of Niger Delta region in Nigeria. He was appointed the Investment Consultant to the Rivers State Government in December 2007and has through this attracted over fifty Billion Naira (N50B) investments to Rivers State in the past one year through Private Partnership Programme of the State Government.

This young man's entry into the politics of Rivers State took everybody by storm and by the time the people could settle down to know what he was up to, he had already demolished the bulldozer and established politicians like Sergent Awuse and became the undisputed flag bearer of one of the major political parties in Nigeria, the Action Congress. He not only surprised himself, critics, opponents, established politicians in the State, admirers and the leadership of AC both at the State and National levels that today he has become not only the Prince of Niger Delta Politics, but the 'bride' of Niger Delta politics. The AC he single-handedly funded, nurtured, watered, and built is the only viable political platform in Rivers State being sought-after by the great names in politics of yesterdays in the State in order to be relevant today. He single-handedly made AC a principal partner in the governance of Rivers State based on the ruling of the Supreme Court reinstating Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the rightful Governor of Rivers State.

His love for his State forced him into politics and today, to create his ideal Rivers State, he offers scholarships to 150 undergraduate and post-graduate students every year in Rivers State to lay the foundation of egalitarian and greater Rivers State of the future. To demonstrate this love for his State in a more practical way, this resourceful Prince and a study in resilience dropped his case at the Election Tribunal to join Amaechi, a PDP Governor to form a unity government in Rivers State to the chagrin of his peers. This action though commendable and a study in political artisanship in Nigeria is anathema to many of his colleagues.

In answer to this, he stated '' Rivers State comes first in all my calculations. Apart from building a virile, egalitarian, vibrant, cohesive and compact Action Congress in Rivers State, making Rivers State one of the strong bases of Action Congress in Nigeria is a task I have set for myself to accomplish. We have taken our decisions in Rivers State based on the lesser of two evils and the future of our party. Many do not know the details of our reasoning but we are comforted in the knowledge that in the end, all will be revealed".

The fact remains that what this foresighted enigma saw by withdrawing his case is now being applauded by those who opposed the plans initially as nearly all the cases against Governor Amaechi at the Election Tribunal have been thrown to the dustbin of history coupled with the unprecedented achievements of this administration so far.

This Prince of Niger Delta Politics involvement in Rivers State and Nigeria politics will not be said to have been properly written if adequate note of his informal interest in the affairs of his people is not considered. He stands out as a professional engineer and a business magnate, who did not take politics as a profession for lack of means of livelihood. Rather, Princewill is a professional who has always been in politics as a result of his concern for his people and personal attempts to help them. He decided to bring his acumen and dynamism to bear on his efforts to serve his people as Governor in the 2007 election. Even as a private businessperson, he has been a people-centered person who has always been critical of corrupt regimes in the state, particularly that of the Odili administration that wasted the enormous potential that was at its disposal based on myopic desires, devoid of empowering the people.

The father of modern day opposition politics in Nigeria and former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described Prince Tonye Princewill with these words “First and foremost, I am impressed with the way the AC leadership in Rivers State, under him has handled the affairs of the party. I thank the leadership for holding the forte of the party in the state. As you know, I am back to the country, fit, well and strong, and we (National and State Chapters of AC) can, together face the problems of this country. Prince Tonye Princewill is a promising young man and I believe that the future is there for him as long as he shows the right qualities of leadership, which he has been showing all along in the party”.

To Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Executive Governor of old Enugu State in the foreword he wrote in the book on the Prince authored by Chief Eze C Eze titled Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, The Prince of Niger Delta Politics: His Vision, Mission and Politics stated " Now, Prince Tonye Princewill has not only become the Prince of Niger Delta Politics, but actually the bride of Niger Delta Politics. His vision for his people in the region is now receiving a reasonable boost through his various appointments into key and crucial sectors, particularly the recent one as a member of the Presidential Niger Delta Technical Committee, which has done a great work in reshaping the future of the region. A book on him at this point in time is, therefore, timely and considered a "sine qua non" and of paramount importance to everybody".

One of the finest politicians in Rivers State and the Hon. Commissioner of Works in the present dispensation, Hon. Dakuku Peterside described the Prince “Tonye is among a new generation of patriotic politicians desirous of rendering quality service to the people. This eminent group of youthful politicians have begun to re-engineer the political landscape, re-introducing pragmatic approach to resolving deep political challenges. He has further shown like others in this group that there is no relationship between age and wisdom. One thing that stands him out among his peers is his ability to distinguish politics of opposition and collective interest of Rivers State as demonstrate by his open an unrepentant support for Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who interestingly is the arrow head of this emerging generation of pragmatic politicians. Committed to the rebirth of Rivers State.”

The Chairman of Action Congress in Cross River State, one of the 36 States in Nigeria and the Chairman of the CNPP in CRS, Comrade Cletus Obun in his congratulatory message to the Prince on his 40th birthday stated, “If life begins at 40 as the ancient assert, then some have disproved this and put it to test. How does the man of less than two score meet the obligations of three score and yet begin? The story of the starry-eyed prince bathed at birth in the muddy mineral led creeks of the Niger Delta, groomed in the finest academic tradition of yore yet submitting with humility to the demands of his fatherland. Of the quality of mankind humility and charity stand out. Prof.Tonye TJT Princewill has woven a fabric from these two virtues landing him the benevolence of his superiors like Alh Atiku Abubakar,Chief.Tom Ikimi,Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. His contemporaries watch him with passionate admiration while his followers deify him.--What will a ma-n in his thirties be doing among the sages of his time?”

Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, a disciple of the school of John Stuart Mill, who pioneered the conception of liberal politics, believes in the stronger protection for individual rights against government and the truism that "We can never be sure that the opinion we are attempting to stifle is a false opinion, and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil". TP is also a great admirer of the works of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, whose philosophy was "rooted in his belief that a ruler should learn self-discipline and govern his subjects by his own example and treat them with love and concern".

With all these, it becomes obvious that Franklin D Roosevelt had the likes of Tonye Princewill in mind when he wrote: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little." Holding tenaciously to this eternal verity, TP believes that a leader should be a public servant, who strives relentlessly to put smiles on the faces of his followers without placing undue emphasis on their social status or dashing the hopes of the poor masses. As one with leadership acumen, Princewill never subscribes to leadership stratum as an end. Rather, he views it to be a means to an end, the end being the socio-economic and political emancipation of the entire people of Rivers State

In appreciation of the much, Prince Tonye Princewill has done in the upliftment, emancipation, unity and growth of the people of Niger Delta region; great Nigerians from all works of life assembled on 2nd January, 2009 at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt in Rivers State to honour this new icon in Nigerian Politics. In the three-day unprecedented action packed events that lasted for three days from 2nd to 4th January, 2009 started with a Lecture on 2nd January 2009 at the Hotel Presidential; Port Harcourt titled The Challenge of Nationhood and the Role of the Newbreed delivered by the Chairman of the Niger Delta Technical Committee and President of MOSOP, Mr. Ledum Mittee. The programme chaired by Alh. Umaru Shinkaffi was attended by great minds in politics, academia, civil society, Royal Fathers and Captains of Industries. It was a gathering of all those that matters in the politics and economy of the Niger Delta region with their friends from other regions in the country. Ambassador Segun Olushola, Chief Abiodu Aremu, Dr. Frederick Fasheun the Founder of Odua Peoples Congress and others represented the Yorubas. Alh. Umaru Shinkaffi erstwhile Director General National Security and his rich entourage represented the North. Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo former Governor of Enugu State and the first Secretary of PDP, Rt. Hon. Adolphous Wabara erstwhile Senate President and the dreaded General Achuzie Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Chief O.C.J. Okocha, Dr. Ego Ezuma the National Legal Adviser of Action Congress and others represented the East. Niger Delta was represented by who is who in the region that includes Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Chief A.K. Horsfall OMPADEC first Chairman, Alabo T.O.Graham-Douglas one time Minister of four Federal Ministries- Aviation, Culture, Sports etc, Justice Karibe-whyte The Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumugobia, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Senate President of the 2nd Republic, Ambassador Dele Cole, Ledum Mittee – President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People MOSOP and Chairman of the Niger Delta Technical Committee. Traditional fathers were adequately represented - King Alfred Diete-Spiff, former outstanding Governor of the Old Rivers State, King T.J.T Princewill, Amayanabo of Kalabari, Amachree XI and father of the celebrant. Other dignitaries include Tony Uranta, Youpele Banigo, Prof Lawrence Ekepbu and other colleagues of Prince Tonye Princewill in the Niger Delta Technical Committee, Chief Magnus Abbey, SSG of the Rivers State Government among others.

The list go on and on but the significance of the event is the total summation by all and sundry that attended the birth day Lecture that Prince Tonye Princewill at the age of forty has matured so soon to take much responsibility in the affairs of the Niger Delta Politics. Alh. Shinkaffi who spoke on behalf of the Northern Nigeria kick-start the event by paying glowingly tribute to the ingenuity of Prince Tonye Princewill for fashioning out and sustaining the Unity Government in Rivers State that has become a study in pragmatism, resilience, idealism and essence in the Nigerian politics and the various roles he has played in shaping the present day politics in Niger Delta region. Dr. Okwesillieze Nwodo who spoke on behalf of the National Leader of Action Congress, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and himself stated that the records of the Nigerian politics can never be completed without a space solely dedicated to the miracle, ingenuity and initiative of Princewill and Amaechi in Rivers State. It was Ambassador Segun Olusgola who spoke on behalf of the Yorubas that confessed the failure of his generation in the project called Nigeria and urged the need of total surrender of leadership to the likes of Prince Tonye Princewill. It was based on all these summations that made King Diete-Spiff the most outstanding Governor of the old Rivers State to state when he was called to spoke on behalf of the Niger Delta region that the future of Niger Delta Politics lays in the hands of great minds like Tonye Princewill and formally anoint him as the Prince of Niger Delta Politics. Alabo Graham-Douglas aptly described Tonye as his political son and that the agenda to establish him firmly in the politics of the region has being outlined for implementation.

The prophetic book titled “Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, The Prince of Niger Delta Politics:His Vison, Mission and Politics” authored by Chief Eze Chukuemeka Eze his Media Consultant was formally presented to the public during the Lecture by Chief A.K. Horsefall. The book chronicled the Past, Vision, Mission, thoughts, politics of Prince Tonye Princewill. Chief Horsefall during the presentation of the book truly stated that Tonye without any doubt or exaggeration is the Prince of Niger Delta Politics being the only visible Prince in politics in the region. He has proven himself and can lay claim to that title. “I Chief Horesfall on behalf of the Leaders and Elders of Niger Delta region hereby present to Nigerians the undisputable Prince of Niger Delta Politics, Prince Tonye TJT Princewill”, Chief Horesefall enthused.

During the thanksgiving on 4th January at Abundant Life Evangel Mission, Port Harcourt, the General Overseer of the Church. Apostle Eugene Ogu who foretold the Governorship of Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Senator Adolphous Wabara as the Senate President in the last Republic stated, “If Tonye follows the Lord diligently the future of Niger Delta Politics lays in his hand. In summary, both the politicians, traditional Council Leaders and the Church have formally accepted this icon and great Prince of the Kalabari Kingdom as the true Prince of Niger Delta Politics.

His friend and partner in the emancipation and development of Rivers State, Governor Amaechi of Rivers State later in his remarks stated “Tonye is my good friend and no matter being the best critics of my administration, he means well for the State and no amount of prejudice or manipulation from outsiders will come in between us. To me, Tonye is a great gift to the people of the region as he brings in his intelligence and highly principled life to bear on the governance of the State. I wish him the best as he makes himself available for the service of our State and region”

Ledium Mittee the Chairman of Niger Delta Technical Committee stated while delivering the keynote address during the Lecture to commemorate Princewill's 40th birthday event “The part so far played by my friend Tonye is not in doubt to any positive mind and key watcher of the unfolding political events in the region.”

A Journalist with FRCN, Mr. Terver Akase summarised the event in a text message he sent to me a day after the Lecture in these words, “congratulations to the Prince whose birthday Lecture has attracted the biggest turn out by eminent persons in recent times to Port Harcourt. Kudos to you Chief. I am happy that the Prince knows what you can do. Keep it up and may God continue to watch over you.”

The Prince in his response expressed appreciation for all the encomiums poured on him by his fathers and teachers in the arts of politics and stated that ' If Diete-Spiff could have achieved the much he did at the mere age of 27 while as the Governor of the old Rivers State, I don't see why I could not do better at the age of over 40 The fact remains that I didn't come to politics to achieve; I came to take a stand and make my point and make the difference in the lives of Rivers State people”.

This is the new block in Nigerian politics – Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, the Prince of Niger Delta Politics.

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant and Public Analyst based in Port Harcourt.