Princewill: Don’t Let Buhari’s Appointments Tear Nigeria Apart
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last election in Rivers State, Tonye Princewill, has urged Nigerians to be patient and not allow the recent appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari to tear the country apart.
Princewill, who was reacting to the controversies sthat trailed the recent appointments of key government officials announced by the federal government, said in as much as it was normal to react to government actions, Nigerians should refrain from over reaction which he said might damage the nation’s fragile democracy.
Princewill, who spoke with THISDAY from abroad, advised both the pro-Buhari and anti-Buhari Nigerians to sheave their swords in the interest of peace.
Princewill also advised President Buhari to take into consideration the sentiments of Nigerians in taking important decisions.
According to him, “I belong to the pro-Nigeria camp: first is if you lead a people, their sentiments also need to be led. I have no doubt that the tribal sentiments of Nigerians require management and a failure to do so would be an oversight. How you manage it isn’t the topic for today, but do so in recognition of the years of mistrust and the cultural issues that fostered these sentiments in the first place.
“Secondly, I always resist the temptation to give final comments on a football match at the half time whistle. This is not even the case with the Buhari administration. He has not even given us his team sheet. Not to talk of kick off or half time. There is a lot more to see and hear before we pass judgment. His team selection will definitely face scrutiny.”
The former governorship candidate also advised government to be sensitive and proactive.
“But in the end, let us remember that we as a country need results. Whether or not the Buhari administration gets us those results or not, a trend has been set. Merit matters. Is that really a bad thing?
He also explained that he was yet to see a reason to pat President Buhari on the back, and also had not seen a reason to crucify him either.
“For a government to move ahead, criticism can be effective but distractions can be destructive. That is something our politicians should learn.
“Buhari is now Mr. President and to the best of my knowledge, no one is challenging that; so all energy should be mustered to help him succeed. Critics should proffer solutions and keep him on his toes, but always try to be constructive. One advice I have for the president is, forget the Baba Go Slow title. It’s not how you start that matters, it’s how you finish.”