Former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has expressed concern that many citizens of the state have surrendered their future to a small circle of political elites.

He therefore emphasised the need for more professionals and community leaders to be involved in the state’s political affairs.

According to Princewill, the involvement of professionals, community leaders, and youths will help shape policies and hold elected officials accountable.

Princewill, who is also a businessman and philanthropist, made the call while speaking on a live television programme monitored in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The former governorship candidate warned that the current political climate, which allows many citizens to surrender their future to a small elite group, has enabled power to be abused and public trust to erode.

Princewill said, “When you leave politics to just politicians, you get what you’re seeing today. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.”

He emphasised that civic participation shouldn’t stop at voting, but must include sustained engagement, advocacy, and education on democratic values.

The former governorship hopeful said, “The people are the power. And when the people forget that, the politicians will continue to do whatever they like.”