Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has once again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. In an open letter, Clark emphasized the need to extinguish the “small fire” before it becomes a larger issue.
Clark praised the President for his earlier stance of neutrality in the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He urged Tinubu to call the minister to order for the sake of governance in Rivers State.
The political tension in Rivers State has intensified recently due to disputes over the tenure of local government chairmen. In his letter, Clark stated, “Mr. President, I humbly submit that given my age and status as a senior citizen of Nigeria, I cannot accept on behalf of my people any actions that undermine or violate the provisions of the 1999 Federal Constitution of Nigeria as amended.” …CONTINUE READING
Clark, who has served Nigeria in various capacities, including as a cabinet member with three former Presidents, emphasized the importance of addressing the situation promptly. He said, “What may seem irrelevant to you today can become a major difficulty to the government in no time. As one old enough to be your father, I advise again, let this small fire in Rivers State be quenched immediately and not allowed to conflagrate further.”
He further urged Tinubu to act as a democrat and resolve the troubling situation in Rivers State, warning that inaction could lead to widespread issues. “Not doing so will appear as the proverbial Caesar sitting on his oars when Rome was burning,” Clark warned.
Clark expressed gratitude on behalf of the South-South people for the President’s earlier intervention and also thanked Tinubu for his birthday message. “Once again, I want to express on behalf of our people in the south-south our profound gratitude and appreciation for the patriotic and authoritative release from the Presidency concerning the present situation in Rivers State,” he added.
