Edwin Clark Fumes, Says Purported 8-point Resolution Undemocratic, One-sided

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has rejected the directives issued as resolutions to resolve the political impase in Rivers state.

The elder statesman said the resolutions are not only appalling, but also unacceptable, particularly to the Ijaw ethnic nationality, threatening to take legal action against President Bola Tinubu.

Clark said Tinubu’s actions have shown his dislike and disdain for the Ijaw people and confirms his hatred for them.

He said, “As the leader of the Ijaw, we will resist it”.

Recall that the directives were given at a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu and attended by Governor Sim Fubara and other Rivers stakeholders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday night.

Clark described the communique issued at the end of the reconciliatory meeting by President Tinubu to resolve the crisis in Rivers State as baffling, appalling and unacceptable to the people.

He said that the eight-point resolution was undemocratic, dictatorial, one-sided, geared towards handing over the political leadership of Rivers State to the former governor now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike.

According to the elder statesman, strong indications emerged that from the terms of settlement, it is obvious that President Tinubu sees his role as a mediator, to once again, show gratitude to Wike for “delivering” Rivers State to him during the presidential elections, having first of all gratified him by making him the Minister of FCT.

He urged President Tinubu to respect the constitution under which he sworn an oath.

Clark said that Governor Fubara should disown the purported agreement, speak out to Nigerians that he did not sign that agreement, and that he is not owing anybody any obligation.

In his words: “Tinubu should respect the constitution under which he sworn an oath.

“We still love him, we still believe in his leadership as President of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

“But as citizens of this country, we have a right to reject any of his obnoxious directive.”

Clark said that he observed that the composition of the attendees of the meeting was one sided in favour of Wike.

“While Martins Amaewhule, a former Speaker, (because he has automatically lost his seat the very moment he decamped to another political party), was present at the meeting, it would have only been equitable and expedient, for Edison Ehie, the Speaker as affirmed by constitutional provisions and by the granting of the court, to be in the meeting, if there were sincerity of purpose.”

The South South leader said that the eight resolutions reached, “are the most unconstitutional, absurd and obnoxious resolutions at settling feuding parties that I have ever witnessed in my life.

“As a matter of fact, some media captured it very well when they described it as directives. And for the fact that such thing was done at the Villa, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is sacrilegious, because any place housing or is a custodian of symbol of authority, ought to be sacred.

“It is obvious that Governor Siminialayi Fubara was ambushed and intimidated into submission.

“President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution.

“From all that transpired at the meeting, the laws of the land have not been obeyed.”

He urged Governor Fubara to disown the purported agreement.

“He should speak out to Nigerians that he did not sign that agreement. He is not owing anybody any obligation,” Clark added.