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Tonye Princewill (born 4 January 1969) is a Nigerian investor, politician, film producer and philanthropist who was the 2015 Labour Party and 2007 Action Congress nominee for
Governor of Rivers State The governor of Rivers State is the chief executive of the Rivers State government and is one of the governors of the thirty-six states of Nigeria. The governor is supported by the deputy governor, both popularly elected for a term of four ye ...
. He is a member of the
All Progressives Congress 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, t ...
(APC) and the son of King T.J.T. Princewill of the
Kalabari Kingdom The Kalabari Kingdom, also called Elem Kalabari ( Kalabari: ''New Shipping Port''), is the independent traditional state of the Kalabari people, a sub-group of the Ijaw tribe, eastern ijo, in the Niger River Delta. It is recognized as a tradi ...
of
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
, Nigeria.


Early life and education

Tonye Princewill was born in the UK to the family of the King (Prof) T.J.T. Princewill, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom of the Amachree Dynasty of Rivers State. His father was a Professor of
Medical Microbiology Medical microbiology, the large subset of microbiology that is applied to medicine, is a branch of medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, this field of science studies various ...
before he became a monarch. His mother, Ibiere Princewill, an entrepreneur and notably successful in Distribution and Farming, passed away in 2000. 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 Jos is a city in the North-Central region of Nigeria. The city has a population of about 900,000 residents based on the 2006 census. Popularly called "J-Town", it is the administrative capital and largest city of Plateau State. The city is situ ...
from 1976–1980. He then attended Federal Government College (
Port Harcourt Port Harcourt (Pidgin: ''Po-ta-kot or Pi-ta-kwa)'' is the capital and largest city of Rivers State in Nigeria. It is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Benin. It lies along the Bonny River and is locate ...
) 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 Petroleum engineering is a field of engineering concerned with the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas or both. Exploration and production are deemed to fall within the ''upstrea ...
at the
University of Port Harcourt The University of Port Harcourt is a public research university located in Aluu and Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt and was given university status in 1977. The Univ ...
and later returned to the UK to successfully complete a master's degree in Mineral Resources Engineering at the
Imperial College London Imperial College London, also known as Imperial, is a Public university, public research university in London, England. Its history began with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who envisioned a Al ...
in 1994.


Entertainment

Princewill produced the film
Kajola Kajola is a Local Government Area in Oyo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Okeho. Other major towns in Kajola LG are Ilero, Imia, Ilua, Ayetoro-oke, Isemi ile, Iwere-oke, and Ilaji-oke. It has an area of 609 km and a popul ...
, 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. Princewill also produced the film, Nnenda, which was geared towards creating awareness for the less-privileged in society. He produced other films such as Valour, a movie that deals with the
Niger Delta The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...
and
Boko Haram Boko Haram, officially known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad (), is a self-proclaimed jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali. In 2016, the group spli ...
issues. He is one of the
executive producers Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the production of media. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights or royalties). In films, ...
of
'76 (film) ''76'', formerly ''Lions of '76'', is a 2016 Nigerian historical fiction drama film directed by Izu Ojukwu and produced by Adonaijah Owiriwa and Izu Ojukwu. It stars Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic and Ibinabo Fiberesima. Set s ...
.


Politics

Princewill's political career started when he was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress for the governorship of
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
in 2007. He was supported by the then former Vice-President of Nigeria and the AC Presidential candidate in 2007 elections,
Atiku Abubakar Atiku Abubakar (; born 25 November 1946) is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the vice president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. He ran for the office of governor of Adamawa State i ...
and former Governor of Lagos and National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju
Bola Tinubu Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian politician serving as the 16th and current president of Nigeria since 2023. He previously served as the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and senator for Lagos ...
. 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 Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia (born 15 September 1959) was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north an ...
. 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 Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia (born 15 September 1959) was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north an ...
offered him a Naira 1.5 billion (approximately USD 10 million) bribe to withdraw the case before the tribunal, which he rejected. Following a Supreme Court decision to replace
Celestine Omehia Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia (born 15 September 1959) was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north an ...
with another People's Democratic Party candidate
Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician, who served as the federal minister of transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's ...
, he withdrew his case at the tribunal following a local party decision of the Action Congress in
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
, a move which drew criticism from some quarters. 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 Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia (born 15 September 1959) was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north an ...
and his 'godfather', Dr.
Peter Odili Peter Otunuya Odili (born 15 August 1948) is a Nigerian politician who was the third elected Governor of Rivers State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. Odili is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Background Peter Odili ...
, the former governor of
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
, when
Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician, who served as the federal minister of transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's ...
was installed by the court. 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. Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties to form a unity government with Amaechi's administration. 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 Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
. His announcement in 2010 that he was returning to the People's Democratic Party was controversial and weakened opposition in the state. 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. In 2013, he joined the management committee of People's Democratic Movement (PDM), the founding movement behind the People's Democratic Party. 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, Princewill indicated his interest to succeed
Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician, who served as the federal minister of transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's ...
, the governor of Rivers State. Then in April 2014, he announced the formation of a committee to explore the viability of his candidacy of running for governor of Rivers State. 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 Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (born 13 December 1964) is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has served 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 Ikw ...
, former minister of State for Education and fellow Governorship aspirant on the grounds of "not being a PDP member". Princewill left PDP and in January 2015 was chosen as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in
Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...
. Again, he lost that election in what was described as the most violent election ever as PDP and APC exchanged gunfire. In 2017 Princewill joined APC to challenge the PDP government. Princewill was appointed Director of Strategic Communication for APC’s
Tonye Cole Tonye Patrick Cole (born 11 January 1967) is a Nigerian billionaire businessman, he is the co-founder and former Group Executive Director of Sahara Group an energy conglomerate with operations spanning the entire energy chain in Nigeria and nei ...
during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Rivers state. The APC was expelled from contesting in the 2019 election.


Public affairs

Princewill writes a weekly column in the Vanguard newspaper. He has expressed concern about the use of youth in Nigeria, particularly during elections, for
violence Violence is characterized as the use of physical force by humans to cause harm to other living beings, or property, such as pain, injury, disablement, death, damage and destruction. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines violence a ...
and thuggery. Following the heavy floods that ravaged parts of Nigeria in 2012, he organised relief activities for
Niger Delta The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitic ...
communities through the Princewill Trust. He has launched several initiatives to support Nigerian youth, rural women, orphans and widows. In June 2012, Princewill sponsored Nigerian youth delegations on tours to Dubai and Ghana to learn about entrepreneurship, governance, leadership and self-development. In January 2013, in celebration of his 44th birthday, Princewill released a documentary titled "Man. Mentor. Maverick" in which he speaks about his vision of equal opportunities for all. Princewill sponsored several baseline studies in 2013, covering the state of education, environment, and health in Rivers State. In education, research showed that a large number of Model Secondary and Primary Schools were not finished and had been abandoned. 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. 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.


References


External links


Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Princewill, Tonye 1969 births Living people Engineers from Rivers State People associated with the 2015 Rivers State gubernatorial election 21st-century Nigerian politicians Nigerian royalty University of Port Harcourt alumni Alumni of Imperial College London Businesspeople from Port Harcourt Politicians from Port Harcourt Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party politicians Articles containing video clips Rivers State gubernatorial candidates Film producers from Rivers State