PORT HARCOURT — Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has raised alarm over what he describes as the increasing surrender of the state’s future to a small group of political elites, urging greater civic participation from professionals, community leaders, and youths.
Speaking during a live television programme monitored in Port Harcourt, Princewill, who is also a businessman and philanthropist, emphasised the urgent need for broader involvement in the political process to ensure accountability and good governance.
“When you leave politics to just politicians, you get what you’re seeing today,” he said. “We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.”
Princewill criticised the prevailing political atmosphere in Rivers State, warning that the dominance of a small elite has enabled power abuse and the erosion of public trust. He argued that this concentration of influence threatens the democratic foundation of the state.
He called on professionals, community influencers, and young people to get actively involved in shaping policies and holding elected officials accountable, stating that civic duty should not end with casting a vote.
“The people are the power. And when the people forget that, the politicians will continue to do whatever they like,” Princewill said.
He also stressed the importance of continuous public engagement through advocacy, education, and monitoring of democratic processes, warning that without this, the cycle of poor governance would persist.
Princewill’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over governance, inclusion, and political direction in Rivers State, with tensions rising over local government leadership and public confidence in political institutions.
