Rivers Crisis: Intervene, end it now – Clark to Tinubu

An erstwhile Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Edwin Clark, has once again called on President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and end the threatening crisis bedevilling Rivers State.

The elder statesman, in a letter to President Tinubu, reiterated that he should caution the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike, and call him to order in the overall interest of Nigerians.

In the letter, Clark said Tinubu’s intervention would make Wike allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to govern Rivers State peacefully, saying that the former Rivers State governor was not ready for any form of peace.

In the letter dated 25th June 2024, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, said he was calling on Tinubu as the President of the country to tread the path of great honour as a self-professed democrat in bringing the very troubling situation in Rivers State to an immediate end.

He, however, warned that failure to nip the Rivers State crisis in the bud would appear as the proverbial Caesar sitting on his oars when Rome was burning.

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According to the elder statesman, the situation in Rivers State is like a banana peel and if nothing is done early, could engulf everywhere.

Clark said, “I wish to congratulate you for your prompt action taken by the Presidency to douse the political tension in Rivers State.

Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media to Mr President disclosed the President’s position during an interview on TVC on Saturday, 11th May, 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, state level or the legislative branch in the state or 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 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 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.”