Ahead of the forthcoming governorship primary of the All Progressives
Congress and the 2023 general election in the country, a leading
aspirant of the party in Rivers State, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill,
has begun his consultations with party stalwarts and leaders on the
prospects of his intention to vie for governorship ticket of the
party.
The son of the monarch of the Kalabari kingdom met with the Local
Government Leaders of both Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor Local
Government Areas and other party stalwarts in a series of closed door
meetings. The two local governments represent almost half of the
voting strength of the state, a fact not lost on the Prince’s strategy
team. After the meetings, the Prince addressed newsmen on the purpose
of his visit and told listening journalists that he was meeting with
leaders to listen to feedback from key stakeholders on his intentions
and his plans for the APC and for Rivers state.
“This whistle stop tour is designed for me to consult, before a
declaration is made. You can’t put the cart before the horse. I needed
to sit and look into the eyes of leaders and have them look into mine,
so we can tell each other the truth. A declaration that comes after
this kind of a process, will stand the test of time. We have discussed
all issues under the sun, from internal issues within the LGA, my
father the King, how we will build a formidable front for our 2023,
the leader Rotimi Amaechi, our commitment to his Presidency and of
course, my ambition. I’m encouraged on all fronts. They have all
spoken very very well.”
In a related development, Prince Tonye also met with the chairmen of
the nineteen wards in Khana Local Government Area of the state. Khana
is the largest local government in all of Rivers state, maybe Nigeria
and is the heart of the Ogoni Kingdom. The meeting which is part and
parcel of a communication strategy of deriving information of the
state of the party and her members at the grassroots was described as
both “frank and fruitful.” They urged him to contest for the position
of Governor and told him that his love for the Ogonis, shown over the
years, was about to be rewarded.
The businessman and philanthropist used the opportunity to thank all
the ward chairmen for keeping faith with the party and for remaining
resolute in their support and loyalty to the leader of the party in
the state and the South-South, the Honourable minister of
Transportation, the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the Dan Amana of
Daura Emirate, noting that the future is very bright for the party and
its members in the state. He appreciated their support and told them
that he would justify their faith in him in a very short time.
“The tour to all of the key stakeholders continues every day for the
next few weeks, but will be moved to Abuja to accommodate the timing
for the national convention,” Princewill said
