Tonye Princewill: I see Nigeria as a big ship slowly going astray

A Frontline politician in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has said he is troubled that Nigeria is “slowly going astray and drifting”.

Princewill , a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress in Rivers, said this in his independence anniversary massage in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

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Princewill said the February 2023 Presidential election will be very decisive and will afford Nigerians the last opportunity to redefine a new future for themselves.

“I’d rather not use language that is that incendiary. Nigeria as I see it, is a big ship that is slowly going astray. It’s drifting. And it is my opinion that February 2023 is really going to be the last opportunity to redefine a new future for ourselves. It will take a lot of very smart people who are ready to do a lot of very hard work, for us to see a Nigeria that we can be proud of in our lifetimes. If we get it right, we will see the signs before our next October 1st,” he said.

On the rumour making the round that INEC has transferred the BVAS manufacturing machine from Abuja to Enugu as a plot to rig the 2023 elections, Princewill said any missteps towards the conduct of 2023 general election will be the origin of potential crisis in the country.

He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will not interfere with the conduct of 2023 elections, saying that the world, Nigerians and the youths will be watching to see the outcome of the elections.

“I have heard these allegations and also the rumours. When I was a member of the APC, I’m aware that the party leadership went to see President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss strategy and he was crystal clear that it would be a free and fair election. He said he would not interfere with the process. INEC is responsible for its conduct and the world, Nigerians and the youths will be watching. The election is likely to be tight, so any missteps will be the origins of a potential crisis. And INEC will be held responsible. I believe they know that. A word is enough for the wise. There is no need for paragraphs,” he stated.