ABUJA, Nigeria – Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader and Minister of Information in Nigeria’s First Republic under General Yakubu Gowon, has publicly challenged President Bola Tinubu over his involvement in the Rivers State political crisis.
Chief Clark’s remarks were made during a press conference at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
According to Clark, information available to him suggests that the peace agreement reportedly signed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was not legitimate.
He stated, “I have got information from Rivers State that the 8-point decision was fake because it was not signed by former Governor Peter Odili and Fubara himself, they rejected it.”
Clark expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s directives to Governor Fubara, highlighting the autonomy of state governance.
“The President was elected, he too was elected with various powers. The President is to rule over Nigeria while Fubara is to rule over Rivers State,” he explained.
The elder statesman criticised Tinubu for allegedly overstepping his constitutional authority, urging Governor Fubara to disown the purported agreement.
Clark emphasized, “We will advise Governor Fubara to disown the purported agreement. He should speak out to Nigerians that he did not sign that agreement.”
Clark also commended President Tinubu for his attempts to mediate the crisis in Rivers State but expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the settlement.
He raised questions about the impartiality of the meeting’s attendees and the constitutionality of the resolutions reached.
Referring to the reconciliation efforts, Clark remarked, “It is obvious that Governor Siminalayi Fubara was ambushed and intimidated into submission. President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution.”
Furthermore, Clark, representing the Ijaw people, stated that stakeholders in Rivers State, including a former governor, had requested Fubara to rebuild the House of Assembly. He warned against any attempts to impeach the governor, vowing that such moves would be met with resistance.
