Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis in Rivers State.
News About Nigeria reports that Clark wrote a letter to the President, calling on him to caution Minister Nyesom Wike and ensure Governor Siminalayi Fubara can govern peacefully.
According to Clark, Wike is unwilling to make peace, adding that the president’s intervention is necessary to prevent the crisis from escalating.
Clark appealed to Tinubu as a Democrat to resolve the situation, saying that failure to act would be like ignoring a fire burning in Rome.
He said the situation in Rivers State is volatile and needs immediate attention; if left unchecked, it could spread and have far-reaching consequences.
Clark’s letter was dated June 25, 2024, and made available to the press in Abuja.
Clark said, “I wish to congratulate you for your prompt action taken by the Presidency to douse the political tension in Rivers State.”
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media to Mr. President, disclosed the President’s position during an interview on TVC on Saturday, May 11, 2024. And it has been warmly received by Nigerians, particularly in Rivers State.
The crisis will no doubt gradually die down if the statement is upheld by the Presidency, and it will enable us to face the security problem in other parts of the country.
“I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the federal level, the state level, the legislative branch in the state, or the executive branch in the state, if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they are mistaking and they will be disappointed.
“I am now 97 years old, and by the grace of God, while I may be in my last journey, I have therefore deliberately decided to address the Rivers State issues historically, factually, and courageously without fear or favour to anyone in the interest of Nigeria as a result of your Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike’s continuous threat to remove from office the elected Governor of Rivers State.
“I am confident and proud to say that I have known you for many years, even though we have never worked together but in our various positions, we successfully fought against the anti-democratic policies of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime between 1999 and 2007, and I developed a special admiration for you when you boldly and courageously spoke against President Olusegun Obasanjo’s interference with your state local government system.”
