NIGERIA'S UNITY UNDER SIEGE –PRINCEWILL
Prince Tonye Princewill, an engineer and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the 2007 general elections in Rivers State. In a chat with newsmen recently, the scion of the Kalabari monarch spoke on some burning national issues. ORLU JOSEPH ORLU was there.
Excerpts:
How do we address religious and ethnic challenges in Nigeria?
So many reports on these twin subjects have been prepared without any implementation. As a ‘victim’ of this policy of setting up committees only to ignore reports at the end of the day, I am aware that many true and real solutions exist if only leaders will listen. Suffice it to say, I believe that by positively addressing employment and other social issues we stand a greater chance of reducing this challenge that is itself a critical factor militating against the unity of the nation. In Rivers state we encourage social integration. I hope we all start to become more accepting of each other. I think we may soon see a Commissioner in our state that is not from our state. That is progress. We cannot stop there. Mr President should take the lead in promoting harmony and reconciliation. Nobody is too big or too small. They are all important. He remains the President of the good the bad and the ugly. Recent developments do not leave me with that impression. I hope I am wrong. Even bad people have some good within them and vice versa. Having said that I must appeal to all those who believe that crawling back into an ethnic shell provides a cover for tomorrow to have a rethink. If we all do that, where is the future for Nigeria? We need a Nigerian agenda, not a Northern agenda or a South West agenda or Ijaw agenda. There is no place for this in mainstream politics.
If you were in Jonathan's position, how would you address the Boko Haram and insecurity issues?
My philosophy has always been the philosophy of engagement even the governor of my State Amaechi and I disagree on certain issues but that does not in any way affect our relationship. I don’t believe that everybody is a criminal; I believe there are people who have good intentions but pursue it through illegal means. My view on it is to isolate these people and then take on all well-meaning Nigerians and bring them on board; for me that is the first thing I will need to do. If anybody denies that Nigeria is more divided than ever before, then that person is merely living in denial. From all indications, the fabric of the unity of the Nation seems to be under siege, the Nigeria of today is perceived to be more divided than ever before and I believe the best way to heal these wounds is to show without prejudice that the good, the bad, and the ugly from across the North, East, West and south are all stakeholders in the entity Nigeria. In which case it behoves on all and sundry to work towards ensuring that governance becomes participatory to encourage transparency and a capacity to accommodate different views and opinions. If we can’t do that we leave the people with no option than to rebel. Yesterday it was us; today it is them, who know tomorrow? A never ending story. I think Jonathan needs to be open and transparent. Next thing he needs to do is to tackle the issue of unemployment and the only way he can do that is by power, if he tackles power then he becomes well on his way to tackling unemployment. If we take a closer look, we will certainly find that the majority of youths involved in violent pursuits do so as an alternative to gainful employment. If he does that and we start to improve on the social security of people especially those in the North, then we can certainly say we have found the way forward. But as it is, I foresee that the resolution to the Boko Haram issue may likely end in Amnesty with the BH requesting a share of the amnesty budget. There is a lot to say for why any one group will be justified in requesting for the same treatment/outcome as was meted to a similar group conducting similar ‘business’ as them. And at the end of the day we have a government whose overheads are firing out of control because it needs to ensure the youths desist from violence? This is not practical, this is not sustainable, and this is not good for our government. Look at our budget and how much we spend on recurrent as opposed to capital expenditure and then ask yourself ‘are we developing or maintaining poverty for the poor and riches for the rich?’ others have spoken and where ignored, Iweala has said the same thing, let’s hope she would be listened to. Thankfully with the minimum wage, we will all be forced to rethink how we spend the people’s money.
Don't you think there are some cabals that are behind this ugly incident and are bent on making Nigeria ungovernable for Jonathan?
It is not out of character. There is every possibility. There is no doubt that there are some organisations that are hell bent on making sure the status quo does not favour the sitting president. But I think this goes beyond Jonathan, even at the level of the state governments and smaller units of government, there are still attacks and these happened even before Jonathan became the President. I think the agenda is wider than Jonathan. But as I said, the best way to tackle the issue is to isolate the radical elements. If you isolate the radical elements you can identify them and the way to do this is not to go from outside in. Inside the communities is where you start this process of isolation, in other words the moderate individuals who are dissatisfied but do not subscribe to the violence need to be recruited and brought onside. To me this is where Atiku and the likes need to be involved. If people who are dissatisfied with this government are brought on board then absolutely we can eradicate the radical elements.
How do you think the President can effectively address the problem of unemployment and power generation?
Well, without any doubt unemployment is a major issue, it is a major challenge. It can be very destructive. We have heard about it and seen it in the North as was in the Niger Delta. I have mentioned this severally before now. The absence of productive employment is clearly an issue. Power generation is also a clear issue that must be addressed to encourage business and diversify the economy but how many people can run businesses competitively while having to buy diesel to keep their company running? This is a clear index that exposes the failure of government. Few serious companies can look at Nigeria as a serious entity if they can’t provide the basics for their people. We have the population, bright people, low labour costs, flexible labour laws and very adaptable people but we can see that the big organisations prefer neighbouring countries. What am I saying? I am saying that the more you encourage private investors to come and invest, the more likely you are going to provide jobs. So power is essential and must be addressed now.
Are you satisfied with post amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region?
No. I am tired of talking about this. Refer to the Niger Delta Technical Committee report. We need to move beyond rewarding the youths that carried arms to also encouraging the ones that did not. What we achieved was a reduction in arms not a removal of arms. Recent clashes show they still exist. We are only delaying the inevitable. Only a multi-faceted approach will address it. The Niger Delta Ministry has no business being in Abuja. When this is addressed, you will start to see the beginnings of a holistic solution.
What is your take on the Rivers ACN withdrawal of its Electoral Petition against Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and the Rivers PDP?
This occurrence at this time is evident of the ACN leadership commitment to patriotic ideals and that Dr Abiye Sekibo has shown himself to be a true son of Rivers State. Though the decision may not be an easy one to make giving past aggravations, between all concerned, is evident of Sekibo’s decision to cast aside differences for the good of the state. This withdrawal also serves to concur on a widely held opinion during the course of the electoral campaigns, when political pundits stated that Governor Amaechi did not have any formidable opponent. In this regard, I expect Sir Celestine Omehia to toe the path of honour and withdraw his petition in the wake of ACN’s decision.
Rivers State in hosting the just concluded National Sports Festival has raised the bar in hosting such a big event – what is your stand on this?
If you noticed the opening and closing ceremonies of that event including the facilities put in place during the meet are not only applauded as the grandest so far in the history of the games but the most organised. That event serves if for nothing else finally put to rest any fears and misgivings people had following the state’s decision to host this edition of the games. This is because at a time several States in the country shied away from the responsibility of hosting the 17th National Sports festival because of the financial implications it would have on their state’s coffers, the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, accepted the challenge of hosting the 27 event Sports fiesta at a time his administration was also involved in widespread capital intensive infrastructural development around the State.
We have through hosting this sports fiesta gained international sports facilities obtainable in any part of the world if you have witnessed the 37 hectares expanse of land along Igwuruta road where the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and Sports Complex is situated. The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Complex is an impressive architectural masterpiece comprising a FIFA-standard 26,000 seat capacity main bowl stadium. Within the complex is the Garden City Sports Centre home to a handball court, a hockey court, four tennis courts, two outdoor basketball courts, two Olympic-size swimming pool, four squash courts, one mini sports hall, two volleyball courts and the football arena made up of two artificial turf training pitches, one standard football pitch and a synthetic running track to provide the athletes with the best of facilities that conform to the highest standards the world over. Apart from the discovery and exposure of new talents which would hopefully add a new lease of life to our performance potentials at International Sports Events the event demonstrated the sheer doggedness in Governor Amaechi in meeting targets he sets for himself and the state as well and with the Presidency’s endorsement for Rivers State as venue is a vote of confidence for the State of Security in the state. As you may know the National Sports Festival took place at a time wrong signals where coming from certain parts of the country with undertones of instability.
What is your message for the Lagos State Government and her people over the recent devastating flood experience that took place in the State?
Though I was outside the country when the incident happened, I commiserated with the Government and people of Lagos State over it the moment I got wind of the sad news. Notwithstanding, my heart continues to go out to all those who lost loved ones and also those who suffered loss of property which would no doubt result in untold hardship if intervention has not been done at a scale expected by this time. I remain confident that Fashola is on top of the matter and would do the needful to help the victims, allay the fears of Lagos residents, and do the necessary infrastructural intervention to prevent further occurrence. Having said all these we should bear in mind that since the world weather report has indicated that the changing weather patterns occasioned by global warming would be accompanied by more of these natural occurrences at a higher rate, there is a need for government to take a more systemic and sustainable approach on environmental issues and infrastructural especially in areas prone to such disasters.
What is your take on the two ministerial posts accorded to Rivers State?
The inclusion of Ms Ama Pepple and Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a laudable step and significant leap towards redeeming the promises Mr. President made to the Nigerian people..I must commend President Jonathan for keeping faith with the Rivers State people and appreciating the State with two great Ministries which will be the turning point for his transformational vision for the country.
The two Ministers will come to the cabinet with antecedents that would add value to the cabinet. In Ms Ama Pepple’s case, she has an enviable record as one of the few Nigerians to have held sway in both arms of governance at the National level as the Clerk of the Senate and the second woman in our history to serve as the Head of Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Barrister Nyesom Wike’s appointment as Minister having previously served in two tiers of government as two term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government and Chief of Staff of Rivers State Government for four years is a fitting transition which he would no doubt justify.
Finally, let us have your stand on the Labour’s decision to call off the nationwide strike?
The decision by Labour to call off this strike is not only bold, commendable but a demonstration that dialogue is the key to any disagreement. Truth be told, all Nigerians would have been hard hit if the Strike action had taken place. The negative multiplier effects would have been devastating to commercial and economic activities. The events surrounding and leading up to the threat of strike and also Labour’s decision to suspend the strike action should serve as a lesson to administrators and all elected officials at the different tiers of government. A lesson I hope will give them the much needed impetus to realise the importance of delivering on promises made to the people. I must add however, that the resolution to call off the strike cannot stand if the National Assembly fails to expedite action on the review of the constitutional provision on Revenue Formula between the three tiers of Government to enable the States and Local Government councils successfully implement the new minimum wage and in addition embark on development agendas in their States.
Any final comments on the Presidency?
I have watched Mr President’s body language and his words and I can see where he is going. He will be very difficult to stop if things go according to what I perceive his plans are and hopefully we will have a new order where merit will have precedence. His greatest asset is the incompetence of those who came before him. His greatest liability will be his next four years.#
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