The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Edwin Clark

  • Clark’s directive stalls Burutu contest

    Clark’s directive stalls Burutu contest

    A controversy over the delegates’ list yesterday stalled the exercise in Burutu federal constituency of Delta State.

    The aspirants, the returning officer and the party chairman could not reach a compromise on what should be the proper delegates’ list.

    The returning officer, Obrirhe Francis, had alleged that he was ordered by the Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, not to conduct the primaries if his (Clark’s) signature is not seen on the delegates’ list.

    But in Warri federal constituency, the incumbent, Hon Daniel Reyeineju defeated his main opponent, Barr. Val Arenyenka, who is considered to be Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s preferred choice for the race.

    At the end of the contest, Reyeineju polled 70 votes.

    In Ughelli federal constituency, Solomon Awhinakwi won the contest.

    Evelyn Oboro returned as candidate for the Sapele federal constituency.

    Hon Leo Ogor, the incumbent representative of the Isoko federal constituency, won the contest held in Oleh while Love Idisi won the contest at Oghara for the Ethiop federal constituency.

    In Bomadi,  Nicholas Mutu, won the contest.

  • Delta 2015: Clark commends Ochei on broad-based support

    Delta 2015: Clark commends Ochei on broad-based support

    In furtherance of his consultations with key stakeholders in Delta State on his governorship ambition, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Victor Ochei, recently paid a courtesy call on elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, at his country home in Burutu local government area of the state.

    Briefing Clark on why he is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ochei said his desire to govern the state come 2015 was occasioned by the compelling need to offer a result-oriented leadership that will positively impact on the lives of Deltans.

    The former speaker, who was accompanied on the visit by prominent indigenes of the state, including a two- time Senator in the Second Republic, Nosike Ikpo, Maj- Gen O. E. Obadan (retd), who is the first military Aide-De-Camp to Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; National Chairman of Isoko Leaders and Elders’ Council, High Chief Sergeant Uredi, High Chief Paul Eriri, Prof. Okobia, a one-time Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Chief Godwin Ogbetuo, Hon(Mrs.) Judith Enamuotor, member of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Rowland Owie, amongst others, also promised to promote the unity of the state if elected as governor next year.

    Responding, Clark, who commended Ochei for galvanising a broad-based support across the state in realising his ambition, noted, “Victor Ochei is my son and considering the calibre of personalities in his entourage, I am left with no option than to say that I am pleased with him.”

     

     

     

    “I can see from the composition of the entourage that you (Ochei) are really a detribalised Deltan, because from my observation and conviction, all ethnic nationalities in the state are represented in your entourage and it is only someone with such sterling quality that can ensure peace and progress in Delta State. I am at home with your entourage because I know most of the members of your entourage by their first names and even aliases.”

     

  • Free my son or face war, Clark warns kidnappers

    Free my son or face war, Clark warns kidnappers

    •Says no to ransom demand

    The Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday squared up to his son’s kidnappers who are demanding N60 million for their victim to be released.

    He warned the kidnappers to release Ebikeme, a politician, forthwith and unconditionally or ‘face war’.

    Counsel to the elder Clark, Mr. Dockson Bekederemo, said by phone yesterday that the family resolved not to pay a dime as ransom to the kidnappers.

    He said the family’s decision has already been made clear to the kidnappers whose identities, according to him, are already known.

    “We’ve identified all those involved now, and our position, right from the day one, is that they must release him unconditionally. They must have made a mistake of identity. And now that they have realised their mistake, they must release him unconditionally,” Bekederemo said.

    “If that is not done, if anything happens to him, they know the Ijaw custom very well: it is life for life. We’ll go after them, it’s a declaration of war. They and their families will know no peace. This is an embarrassment to the Ijaw nation and we’ll not take it from them. Clark symbolises the voice of the Ijaw man. When they needed a voice to speak for them, he came out at the risk of his life, so we see no reason why an Ijaw son would want to embarrass this man, having made the ultimate sacrifice for them.”

    Ebikeme, second son of Clark was abducted last Wednesday evening by those who had apparently trailed him to the family’s ancestral village, Kiagbodo in Delta State.

    They demanded a ransom of N60 million to release him.

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) had earlier told the Clarks to spurn the demand.

     

  • Clark speaks for heaven

    Clark speaks for heaven

    The occasion was this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. It was another opportunity for President Goodluck Jonathan to work out his boiling rage at elders behaving badly.

    Once he had the microphone in his grasp, the President said: “Sometimes I get worried when I listen to provocative statements that come from very senior citizens. People that ordinarily you perceive are very senior citizens. People who are probably 70 or 80 years who have seen it all and who ordinarily should know the unity of this country is more important than the interest of any individual.

    “Sometimes they preach hate and even encourage young people to carry arms and kill themselves.”

    Narrow that down to one elderly letter-writer who maintains a residence on one of Abeokuta’s many hilltops. I was certain there was no other sinner in this category.

    But this last week I suddenly remembered the presidential rebuke after reading the latest incendiary intervention in our national discourse by his political godfather and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.

    Among other things he declared that after late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Yorubas had no leader and the likes of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were wasting their time thinking they could play the part.

    He then rounded on all those criticising Jonathan’s second term bid. They were, he declared with celestial certainty, fighting God! Clark is at liberty to speak for the Ijaws and PDP on this matter, but he’ll be presuming too much by appointing himself heaven’s spokesperson.

    Accusing the president’s critics of being against God is not only cheap religious blackmail, it just betrays ignorance. Truly, God can allow situations and circumstances to cause the most unlikely persons to occupy the thrones of nations, but the Scriptures are also replete with cases of people whom God enthroned but later toppled after they departed from His ways.

    God enthroned Saul, Solomon and Nebuchadnezzer to name just a few. When they went bad the Almighty kicked them out. There would have been an abundance of critics of these deviant rulers in their final days. Rather than their voices being repulsive to their Maker, He most certainly responded to their cries for deliverance.

  • PDP crisis: Clark wants crackdown on G-7

    PDP crisis: Clark wants crackdown on G-7

    •Tells Oyinlola to show remorse first

    The Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has told the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Bamanga Tukur, to wield the big stick on the dissenting seven governors.

    Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa),Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto),Babangida Aliyu (Niger),Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano),Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)are rooting for the removal of Tukur as party Chairman and other reforms in the PDP.

    They are part of the nPDP along with Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who is the chairman and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who   recently won his case at the Court of Appeal to be reinstated as national secretary of the party.

    But Clark, an elder of the PDP says the court’s judgment may have been rendered impotent by recent events in the party.

    He said in an open letter to the party that the court’s decision cannot be implemented in view of Oyinlola’s role in the nPDP.

    Clark said that even if Oyinlola must return to his position, he has to show remorse above any other thing and be ready to abide by the rules.

    In the letter entitled “PDP INACTION OR FAILURE TO DISCIPLINE OR RECONCILE THE RECALCITRANT AND UNPATRIOTIC GANG OF 7 AND ITS COHORT, IS A THREAT TO THE SECURITY AND POLITICAL STABILITY OF NIGERIA,” he said the recalcitrant governors should be made to face  disciplinary action for their anti-party activities as a way of restoring party discipline.

    He said:” Enough is enough. If this ugly situation which is affecting the security of the nation and the stability of the party must be addressed immediately either you reconcile with them, if they show any remorse, and then refer their case to the Reconciliation Committee of Governor Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa state, and if this is not possible, refer them to the Disciplinary Committee of Alhaji Umaru Dikko because it is not in the interest of the party and Nigerians if this ugly, bewitched and macabre dance of these Gang of 7 and their cohort is allowed to continue endlessly.

    “I repeat, the party under your leadership is greater than any individual member of the party and you were properly elected at the Convention of the Party and these Gang of 7 were part of the convention where you were elected.

    “Act now while I remain your loyal, committed and devoted Elder member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “You have a duty therefore, to prevent the distraction, the insolence and the tension being created by these governors, who have no regard for you and the National Working Committee [NWC]. You must do something immediately to save the image of this great party.

    “The party is greater than any other party leader including yourself.”

    He accused the governors of acting as if they are above the law.

    “Nobody controls them. Everyone of them makes speeches.  There must be discipline.”

  • Clark backs probe of Judges

    •says bad eggs must be shown the way out

    Youth South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has expressed concerns over the level of corruption in the nation’s judicial system.

    He called for total overhauling of the judicial system while also backing the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, ongoing probe of judges.

    While promising her of his unalloyed support, Clark noted Judges found guilty should be flushed out of the system.

    Clark, himself a trained lawyer, lamented the level rot in judiciary has degenerated for what it used to be back then.

    The elder statesman, who turned 86 years yesterday, told journalists in Abuja that the practice used to be noble back in those days, with men and women of integrity.

    He noted the reverse is the case now with lawyers holding briefs for both sides and judges enriching themselves at the expense of justice.

    The First Republic Minister of Information also noted Nigeria has been unable to prosecute any corruption charges in the last five years against some of the former governors.

    The development, he pointed out, was a bad omen.

    He argued President Goodluck Jonathan’s inability to prosecute alleged cases of corruption was due to the corrupt practices in the judiciary.

    Once a case goes to court, he said nobody, not even the president, has a say again.

    He also cited the quarrel between the suspended President of the Court of Appeal and a former CJN, saying that though it was turned into politics, it was ridiculous and embarrassing.

    Clark supported calls for a special court to handle all corrupt cases, suggesting a trial period of between six months and one year.