Princewill To APC: You Can’t Hold Nigeria Hostage

Prince Tonye Princewill has described as childish the order given by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to their members in the National Assembly to stall the passage of the 2014 budget, and screening of the newly nominated ministerial candidates.

Princewill noted in a statement on Friday, through his spokesman on Media and Publicity, Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu, that this latest move was not unconnected to the current crisis rocking Rivers State.

“Quite childish, it is obvious that if this order is carried out, Nigeria’s economy and developmental strides will take a nose dive. Has dialogue been exhausted? Is Rivers case not a case of APC looking for a fight when nobody is listening? What about the deaths in the South West? APC, has it really come to this? Princewill questioned.

Princewill, who joined majority of Nigerians to frown at this move by the opposition party, condemned what he called an attempt by the APC to “shut down the country”. “No man, woman or group of people has the right to threaten the stability of Nigeria. This is what this is,” Princewill insisted.

He highlighted the activities of last year, when the Republicans in the US tried to use their strength to hold the country to ransom. The repercussions of that move were obviously not in their favour, as the public came out in mass to reject the move. Citizens openly vowed never to vote for the party again, because of how immature their plans were. He predicted that the same will happen here.

“Why is the National APC crying more than the bereaved,” Princewill asked, pointing to the past when the Rivers State police was used to witch hunt, oppress and unlawfully harass the opposition.

 “Walk on the streets of Port Harcourt or through the markets in town and inquire. You’ll find out that they are happy with the current neutrality of the police,” the statement said.

Princewill advised the leadership of the APC to have a rethink, and retract their orders.

“I have worked with the then Action Congress and I know that there are still some good people in there; they should rise above the crowd and correct this impending mistake.

“Solomon In the bible was one of the wisest men who ever lived. He was faced with a challenge; two women claiming one baby. Eventually the baby was to be cut in two, but destiny intervened. We all know the story and it was very clear who deserved the baby.”

He added that only a regionalist or one occupied by self-interest can bring a country to its knees. “Speaking of Solomon, nothing could be more appropriate now than to say STOP; a word is enough for the wise,” Princewill concluded.