Prince Tonye Princewill (Tonye Princewill) (born 4 January 1969) is a Nigerian investor, politician, film producer and philanthropist [1] who was the 2015 Labour Party [2] and 2007 Action Congress nominee [3] for Governor of Rivers State. He is currently a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the son of King T.J.T. Princewill of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Prince Tonye Princewill was born in the UK to the family of the present King (Prof) T.J.T. Princewill, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom of the Amachree Dynasty of Rivers State. [4] His father was a Professor of Medical Microbiology before he became a monarch. His mother, Ibiere Princewill, an entrepreneur and notably successful in Distribution and Farming, passed away in 2000.
Tonye Princewill started his early education in the United Kingdom, before returning with his parents to Nigeria, where he enrolled at Hillcrest High School in Jos from 1976–1980. He then attended Federal Government College (Port Harcourt) where he obtained his West African Senior Certificate/ General Certificate of Education O'Level in 1985. In 1990 he attained a BEng in Petroleum engineering at the University of Port Harcourt and later returned to the UK to successfully complete a master's degree in Mineral Resources Engineering at the Imperial College London in 1994.
Princewill's professional career spans over 10 years, where he worked as a Petroleum Engineer in multi-national companies such as Shell and Saipem, later at Sun Microsystems as a Technical Project Manager; Sony, London Stock Exchange and Panasonic as a Technical Consultant and finally Citibank in the Global Asset Management Division on their Technology Desk.
Tonye Princewill's interest in the oil and gas industry saw him working at the prestigious Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) as a Reservoir and Well-site Petroleum Engineer. He also worked briefly with the UK's Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry. He has since then established his own private company called Riverdrill Group of Companies (Nigeria) where he currently serves as the Chairman. [5]
Princewill is an avid investor in the Oil and Gas industry, ICT, Environmental Waste Management, Aviation Services, Property Development and Film production.
Tonye Princewill is a film producer. He produced the film, Kajola, a film that explored the implications of the continuous neglect of the masses, the widening gap between the rich and poor and the ensuing catastrophic outcomes stemming from such neglect. [6] Tonye Princewill also produced the film, Nnenda, which was geared towards creating awareness for the less-privileged in society. [7] He produced other films such as Valour, a movie that deals with the Niger Delta and Boko Haram issues [8]
He is one of the executive producers of the highly acclaimed movie '76 (film).
In 2016, Princewill’s production company: Princewill Trust produced the groundbreaking blockbuster, ’76, a post-civil war drama handsomely shot on Super 16mm film. The film received international recognition for the unique portrayal of the 1976 coup in Nigeria which aimed at preserving a remarkable part of Nigeria's history for the incoming generation. The Hollywood Reporter called it "a cut above most Nollywood movies". [9]
The film is set six years after the civil war when a young officer from the Middle Belt develops a romantic relationship and later marries a young student from the South-Eastern region. However, their relationship is strained by constant military postings. The soldier is ultimately accused of being involved in the 1976 unsuccessful military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed. This captivating story is told from two points of view: the young wife and her soldier husband.
76 was shot in Ibadan, Oyo State and had its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival with a later screening at the London Film Festival, amongst several other festivals around the world
Princewill's political career started when he was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress for the governorship of Rivers State in 2007. [10] He was supported by the then former Vice-President of Nigeria and the AC Presidential candidate in 2007 elections, Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Lagos and National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Tonye Princewill's campaign attracted significant grassroots support. He lost the election under contested circumstances to the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate, Celestine Omehia.
Tonye Princewill launched a legal challenge against the newly elected governor shortly after the election results were released. He offered evidence to prove to the electoral tribunal that the election was rigged. In a newspaper interview, he alleged that Celestine Omehia offered him a Naira 1.5 billion (approximately USD 10 million) bribe to withdraw the case before the tribunal, which he rejected. [11]
Following a Supreme Court decision to replace Celestine Omehia with another People's Democratic Party candidate Rotimi Amaechi, he withdrew his case at the tribunal following a local party decision of the Action Congress in Rivers State, a move which drew criticism from some quarters. [12] Tonye Princewill said in a report that "we took the decision at the time that the enemy of your enemy is your friend," indicating his opponents were Celestine Omehia and his 'godfather', Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, when Rotimi Amaechi was installed by the court. [13] He claimed that the decision to withdraw the case was made even easier because the same people who offered to give him 1.5 billion to withdraw his case, came back to offer him 1.5 billion and evidence of how they rigged the election against him to keep his case in court. This was hoping he would remove Amaechi.
Tonye Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in Rivers State under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties to form a unity government with Amaechi's administration. [14] Tonye Princewill's support of the Amaechi's government received mixed reviews. Some viewed it with scepticism, while others saw it as necessary for the development and stability of Rivers State. His announcement in 2010 that he was returning to the People's Democratic Party was controversial and weakened opposition in the state. [15] But he insisted that threats being issued by national officers in AC to hand the structure of the party to his opponents if he didn’t bring money from Amaechi were no longer tenable. He joined PDP, but took a back seat.
As if to prove his point, the party he left, played into the hands of his opponents, performed woefully against the PDP in the next election. [16]
In 2013, he joined the management committee of People's Democratic Movement (PDM), the founding movement behind the People's Democratic Party. [17] Princewill has since removed his support of the PDP but PDM remains a movement. He currently serves as its Director of Organisation.
At the beginning of 2014, after several months of speculation on his political future, Tonye Princewill indicated his interest to succeed Rotimi Amaechi, the current governor of Rivers State. [18] Then in April 2014, he announced the formation of an Exploratory Committee to explore the viability of his candidacy of running for governor of Rivers State. [19] Tonye Princewill was a governorship aspirant candidate for the People's Democratic Party, but in November 2014 announced that he had been disqualified on the instruction of Nyesom Wike, former minister of State for Education and fellow Governorship aspirant on the grounds of "not being a PDP member". [20]
Left with no choice, Princewill parted ways with PDP and in January 2015, he was chosen as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State, on a single-issue manifesto; job-creation. [21] Again, he lost that election in what was described as the most violent election ever as PDP and APC exchanged gunfire. [22] The Labour Party remained neutral and it wasn’t until 2017 Princewill opted to join forces with APC to challenge the PDP government. He opted however not to contest, but to work for the success of the party. [23]
Princewill, now an avid APC member and frontline chieftain, [24] was appointed the Director of Strategic Communication for APC’s Tonye Cole during his 2018 Gubernatorial campaign in Rivers state. [25] Unfortunately, the APC was expelled from contesting in the 2019 elections [26] as the courts, allegedly working with the PDP, conspired to disqualify the APC from contesting the election, thereby facilitating an unchallenged path to re-election for the PDP. The scandal of the series of judgements that led to this outcome, is now a subject of local, national and international scrutiny. [27]
Tonye Princewill writes about confronting corruption, infrastructure development, behaviour change, security, health, academic advancement and ethnic harmony in his weekly column in the Vanguard newspaper [28] As a leading advocate of youth empowerment in Nigeria, he has expressed concern about the use of youth in Nigeria, particularly during elections, for violence and thuggery. [29]
Following the heavy floods that ravaged parts of Nigeria in 2012, [30] he organised relief activities for Niger Delta communities through the Princewill Trust. [31] He has launched several initiatives to support Nigerian youth, rural women, orphans and widows. [32] In June 2012, Tonye Princewill sponsored Nigerian youth delegations on tours to Dubai and Ghana to learn about entrepreneurship, governance, leadership and self-development. [33]
In January 2013, in celebration of his 44th birthday, Tonye Princewill released a documentary titled "Man. Mentor. Maverick" in which he speaks about his vision of equal opportunities for all. [34]
Tonye Princewill is an advocate for open government and effective public service delivery using modern technology. [35] This earned him the nickname, the "Digital Politician." [36]
Princewill sponsored several baseline studies in 2013, covering the state of education, environment, and health in Rivers State. [37] In education, research showed that a large number of Model Secondary and Primary Schools were not finished and had been abandoned. [38] The management of oil spillages in Rivers State, a catalyst for youth restiveness, was seen as ineffective across local governments in the State. Survey respondents reported that funds which ought to have gone into cleaning and sanitisation of their communities were diverted by local officials. These findings also support press reports about corruption in government allocations to oil-producing areas. [39] In the area of health, there is widespread disenchantment about the lack of improvement within the sector. Weak health service delivery in Rivers State is forcing many patients to seek medical attention at unregulated traditional medicine shops. Challenges associated to HIV/AIDS, the lack of qualified health professionals, and unfinished health projects, are serious concerns among respondents. These findings substantiate reports in the press that raise questions about the efficacy of funds injected into the sector by the Rivers State administration. [40]
Princewill is still active on the political scene and continues to advocate for a reform in governance. [41] During a 2019 interview to celebrate his 50th birthday, he is stated, "My political career is intact. Good people are becoming more and more critical to move Nigeria forward. When Nigerians realise we cannot continue like this, they will look for people like us or younger versions to exhibit excellence and toughness combined. I do not have to be the one running for office, but either way I will be involved." [42]
Princewill also continues to invest in his business interests, youth empowerment in Nigeria and is currently working on another upcoming Blockbuster centered around Boko Haram, with a release date TBD.
Tonye Princewill is married to Rosemary, and has a daughter (Azariah) and twin boys (Teetee and Teepee). [43]
Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria from 29 May 2007 to 25 October 2007. He is a member of the former national governing People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is married to Mrs. Anthonia Omehia and they have three children.
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a Nigerian politician, he served as the Federal Minister of Transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's presidency under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). He previously served as Governor of oil-rich Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007. On 9 April 2022, Amaechi declared his interest to contest in the presidential election in 2023, he came second in the APC presidential primaries held in June 2022 behind eventually winner Bola Tinubu with 316 votes from the delegates.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the two major contemporary political parties in Nigeria, along with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Founded on 6 February 2013 from a merger of Nigeria's three largest opposition parties, the party came to power following the victory of party candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election. This marked the first time in Nigerian history that an opposition party unseated a governing party and power was transferred peacefully.
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has been serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023. He previously served as the Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. He is an Ikwerre man from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and was educated at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, also referred to as Rivers PDP, is the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is currently chaired by businessman and Philanthropist Felix Obuah. Prominent public figures including the late Nigerian senator Ibiapuye Martyns-Yellowe and former governor and Committee Chair on State Creation Peter Odili are products of Rivers PDP.
Telenyem Renner Ikuru, commonly known as Tele Ikuru, is a Nigerian engineer and politician. He was first elected Deputy Governor of Rivers State in 2007 on a PDP ticket with Gov. Celestine Omehia. After the court annulled Omehia's election that year, he was picked to serve under Chibuike Amaechi and was reelected to the office in 2011.
David Nweze Umahi is a Nigerian politician who serves as the minister of works of Nigeria. He previously served as the senator representing Ebonyi South senatorial district from June to August 2023, and as the governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023; and deputy governor from 2011 to 2015.
The election for Governor of Rivers State took place on 11 April 2015. People's Democratic Party candidate Ezenwo Wike, a former Minister of State for Education defeated All Progressives Congress candidate Dakuku Peterside and Labour Party candidate Tonye Princewill.
The Rivers State gubernatorial election took place on 9 March 2019, concurrently with various other Nigerian state level elections. A rerun of the vote was held in Abua–Odual, Ahoada West, Gokana and Opobo–Nkoro on 13 April. One-term incumbent Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of the People's Democratic Party was eligible to run for re-election. He won in 2015 with 87.77% of the vote.
The 2019 Oyo State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019, the PDP nominee Seyi Makinde won the election, defeating Adebayo Adelabu of the APC.
The 2019 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election occurred on 16 November 2019, the APC nominee David Lyon won the election, defeating Douye Diri of the PDP.
The 2019 Plateau State gubernatorial election in Nigeria occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent APC Governor Simon Lalong won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Jerry Useni and several minor party candidates.
The 2019 Cross River State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent PDP Governor Benedict Ayade won re-election for a second term, defeating APC's John Owan Enoh, and several minor party candidates.
The 2019 Jigawa State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent APC Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar won re-election for a second term, defeating Aminu Ibrahim Ringim of the PDP and several minor party candidates.
The 2019 Katsina State gubernatorial election occurred in Nigeria on 9 March 2019. Incumbent APC Governor Aminu Bello Masari won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Garba Yakubu Lado and 16 other party candidates.
The 2018 Ekiti State gubernatorial election occurred in Nigeria on 14 July 2018. APC Governor Kayode Fayemi who ruled from 2010 to 2014 won re-election for a second term, defeating Kolapo Olushola of the PDP.
The 2011 Rivers State gubernatorial election was the 7th gubernatorial election of Rivers State. Held on April 26, 2011, the People's Democratic Party nominee Rotimi Amaechi won the election, defeating Celestine Omehia of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
The 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections were held for state governors in 31 out of 36 Nigerian states. All but three elections were held on 18 March—concurrent with elections to every state house of assembly, three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections—while the Imo State, Kogi State, and Bayelsa State elections will be held on 11 November. The last regular gubernatorial elections for all states were in 2019. All states have a two term limit for Governors which makes 18 incumbent governors ineligible for re-election.
The 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Rivers State, concurrent with elections to the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent PDP Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.
Hon Bernard Barida Mikko is a Nigerian politician and businessman from Gokana LGA in Rivers State. He served as a member of the 4th parliament of the Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Rivers state, representing Khana/Gokana constituency from 1999 to 2003. In 2022, Mikko declared his interest to participate in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election under APC, however, Tonye Cole won the primary election and emerged as the party's candidate..
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