Clark to Wike: Stay in Abuja, leave Fubara, Rivers alone

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike, to stay focused and concentrated in the nation's capital because he has a lot to do and to leave Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state's people alone.

The elder statesman, who stated this in an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday, C

The leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, stated that godfatherism must give way to the nation's politics and the practice of politics for the development and growth of democracy in the country, that he has never met Fubara and cannot determine his complexion, and that he is only out to fight injustice and oppression.

The AIT conducted an interview with Clark to commemorate his 97th birthday, as well as a documentary on his life and achievements.

When asked why attempts to settle both Wike and Fubara have not been made, the Leader of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, asked if their quarrelling would call for settlement, stressing that what is playing out is egocentricism, the issue of I made you the governor of the state and you must worship me, but the other saying that he cannot worship man but God, despite agreeing that he was made governor by the former governor.

Clark asked, "Who made you Governor of the Rivers States, and today you don't want to see the man?" He wrote about Peter Odili, but then stated that if he did anything against Odili, God would kill him. Then Amaechi appointed him Chief of Staff. When he disagreed with him, Ameachi urged that he be made minister, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo consented.

"But what happened?" We had the president's approval one day to inform the security personnel that he had persuaded five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, whose names I have here, to impeach the speaker, Otelemaba Amachreee. The governor, Rotimi Ameachi, would eventually be impeached. It was free-for-all combat. The mace was broken. One of the members, Chidi, was holding a portion of the mace. That man needed to be flown abroad for treatment. Amaechi then adjourned the House of Assembly for one year. So, that is Wike's work.

"The politics of crazy in Rivers State began with Wike and Ameachi. They do not care about other people. So, there is no way Wike should stay in Abuja to perform his duties. Allow the young man to take control of his surroundings.

"What would you settle them for? Were they arguing? What are you settling for? People say Wike made Fubara governor, and that is correct. The man has acknowledged it. But he says, "I can't worship a human being, so I'll worship God in appreciation." But Wike stated that he worships God via me. The man replied no. That is the challenge they face."

Regarding the Rivers State House of Assembly members who abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), he stated, "So, as far as I'm concerned, everything will ease out. And this relates to what you mentioned regarding INEC. INEC isn't doing its job. The constitution is unambiguous. There is a legal advisor at the INEC Secretariat.

"When such vacancies arise, they must hold an election within 90 days to fill them, which they have not done. "These are some of their flaws."

When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Clark stated that he wanted to be remembered as a leading Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, believed in equality in this country, and believed that no one in Nigeria should be treated as superior to another, just as he asked those he offended during his sojourn and work to forgive him.

The South South chieftain stated, "It must originate from a household to be a Nigerian. So, as far as I recall, number one, I am one of Nigeria's oldest statemen. I was delighted when His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, invited everyone to rise up during my book launch, including General Yakubu Gowon and former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said that everyone should stand up. The Ooni stated that Chief Clark is our Baba, our nationalist, and a national figure. So, what greater honour could there be? So, I want to be recognised for the part I played in Nigeria, and I'd like to ask people who I may have insulted over my 70-year service to my country to forgive me.

"But I want to be remembered as a prominent Nigerian who believes in Nigeria, in equality in this country, and in the idea that no one in Nigeria should be considered superior to another. Everyone should be treated equally.

"That is the Nigerian I wish to be remembered for. I contributed to it since, during the civil war, all teachers and other workers from the South West, South East, and South-South departed the North. There were no teachers. There was no one. I was then the Commissioner for Education, appointed by Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia, and we provided 250 teachers to Kano State for free; they do not pay. Audu Bako was the governor. They were incorporated into Kano.

"When Alhaji Shehu Shagari was Commissioner of Education in Sokoto, North Western State, we gave the headquarters to North West, Sokoto, and 200 instructors. They did not treat them properly, and the people returned home.

"We provided science teachers to the rest of the states. We exchanged pupils with the North East in Maiduguri.

"And the other day, during COVID-19, I got a call that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, was coming to see me. So he arrived. He sat down somewhere because of the COVID. Then he said, "Have you forgotten your pension?" He mentioned an exchange of students. I replied, "Yes, I remember." According to one of my children, he attended Government College in Maiduguri and graduated there.

He answered, "Yes, I was sent to Edo College, where I completed my HSC." And he would come and talk to us. I invited you to sit with me. That is all I wanted.

"When the war was finished, Gen. Yakubu Gowon stated, 'I don't need any congratulations,' because there was no winner or vanquished because it was a family fight. Go and assist them to reintegrate, reconcile, and build a station, which we did. Rebecca, my eldest daughter, was in Class 2 at St. Theresa School in Ughelli. I pulled her from Ughelli and took her to Enugu to study, witness, and suffer with them, as well as supply them with a desk. The government furnished teacher's quarters at Nsukka for Queen's School, Enugu, and Anglican Grammar School, Enugu.

So, what am I saying? I've been in Nigeria. And I challenge anyone who claims that Chief Clark was such and such. No way.

I kicked against corruption since I know it's one of the problems plaguing Nigeria. I will be remembered for my work in education. When I was 85, I questioned myself, "What should I do?" I must leave a legacy behind.

Shouting at the top of my lungs is not enough. I stated that I want to construct a private university where youngsters from all over the country may come to my village, live together, learn together, and grow up to be good citizens of their country, and this is already happening.

Source: The Advocate