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  • Shell must clean up Niger before selling assets, exiting country, says Clark

    Shell must clean up Niger before selling assets, exiting country, says Clark

    • Ijaw leader threatens legal action against oil company

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to first clean up its oil spills in the Niger Delta region before selling off its onshore facility assets and leaving the country.

    Clark, who spoke yesterday in Abuja when he hosted a delegation of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), led by its National Vice President, Atigbi Freedom, asked SPDC to clean up the region’s polluted environment before exiting Nigeria.

    The former National Commissioner said Niger Delta residents and the Ijaw nation could no longer tolerate what he called the exploitation by multinational oil companies, especially SPDC.

    He described the action of the oil giant as an injustice, adding that it was unfair and unacceptable to the people of the region.

    Clark threatened that Niger Delta residents would explore all legal options to redress the situation.

    He added: “I have a list of court issues containing 147 cases taken against Shell and some of the oil companies. More of them are coming. Enough is enough. We can no longer tolerate their exploitation.”

    Read Also; Crude oil theft ends soon – Uzodinma

    The Ijaw leader was responding to IYC’s announcement that Shell was planning to sell its assets in preparation to leaving the country, despite the effect of its oil spillage and the degradation of the Niger Delta environment with the attendant health hazards to the people.

    Clark said: “These are my grandchildren. You know I am the leader of our people. I did not buy it; they made me. In March 1975 in Bomodi, the entire Ijaw – traditional leaders, politicians, ministers – gathered to honour me with the title of Izon Leader, a man who looks at the interest of the Ijaw people.

    “Since then I have been a leader, I have not betrayed them. They came to me to report the new development. I agree with them that we will follow the issue in a legal way.”

    IYC’s spokesperson, Ambassador Binabai Yerin Princewill, hinted that the Federal Government and SDPC were selling off their functional assets in Niger Delta.

    “So, the IYC met and addressed the press, rejecting what they are planning to do. We are not in tandem with that until the Ijaw people are carried along.

    “The Niger Delta people must be included in this process because our environment has been destroyed, damaged; our environment has been violated and abused for so many years.

    “Shell is yet to even clean up our environment properly. Now, they are talking about selling off their assets. Most of these assets are in Ijaw land. Now, they have not done the clean-up and they want to sell the assets to other people without recourse to the Niger Delta indigenes, the Ijaw people whose lands these facilities are located,” he said.

  • Clark to CJN: correct grave anomalies in judiciary 

    Clark to CJN: correct grave anomalies in judiciary 

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to reorganise the judiciary. 

    Clark in an open letter to the CJN,  said it has become necessary to halt the slide of the judiciary.

    He pleaded with the CJN to use his good office to change the trajectory around the judiciary.

    The one time national commissioner also urged the CJN to address the issue of embarrassing, conflicting and contradicting judgement. 

    He advised Justice Ariwoola to use his authority as the CJN too reorganize the judiciary.

    He also reminded the CJN of his  role in the famous petition against the immediate past CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    The judges had raised issues around vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, Internet services to (Justices’) residences and chambers, and epileptic electricity supply to the court.

    The judges also complained about stoppage of trainings under the last CJN.

    He said: “My Lord, I have decided to write this open letter to your Lordship as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) because the alleged corruption and the malpractices in the Judiciary amounting to the naked abuse of the office can no longer be tolerated because it is a big dent to the image of the noble profession to which we all belonged.

    “I have seen the Judiciary and the legal profession at it best. It was the pride of the then legal practitioners and the most revered Justices of the various courts of Nigeria and the posture of our most revered Justices that attracted some of us to study law in the United Kingdom.

    Read Also; Ex-APC national chair, Adamu, announces retirement from politics

     “My Lord, who led the Supreme Court Judges in the historic petition or memorandum is now in the saddle as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and you have every authority and responsibility to correct these grave anomalies in the above historic letter written by the Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court under your leadership.”

    He also warned against “socialization between the judiciary and some Senators who are facing criminal charges in their courts.

    He added: “One of the easiest way that the Judges could be influence when some of these Senators facing trials in the court freely meet with the CJN and other Judges at parties, occasions or at government functions and other public gatherings. 

    “One of my motivations for study law was the respect and honour given to Judges and Lawyers in the society was that they were indeed placed after God. Today, where is that honour and dignity? I’m not suggesting that the Judges should be isolated from society and other people.

    “However, by the nature of their confession and calling, judges should not comonalize themselves with execise discretion in the circles of people they make up with.”

    The elderstateman, who also frowned against contradicting judgment by same court, urged the CJN to take action so as to curb the slide. 

    He said: “Embarrassing, conflicting and contradicting judgement by the same court sitting in various states in the country have now become the order of the day which have now extended to the Court of Appeal. 

    “It should be noted that the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act created only one Federal High Court, and also the Act establishing Court of Appeal also created one single Court with several Divisions, and this conflicting judgements are traceable to these Divisions as if they are independent Court in this modern technological age.

    “I repeat, as Chief Justice of Nigeria, you have every authority to reorganize the Judiciary.”

    Clark therefore challenged the CJN to do the needful.

    The Ijaw leader also suggested that the CJN should “investigate the activities of both the judicial and non-judicial officers of these courts seriously involved in these corrupt practices and even some of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria who are handling these cases who have also helped to perpetrate these evil after collecting huge professional fee.

    He added: “The necessary laws and rules of procedure involving all corruption cases in the country should be amended so as to shift the burden of proof to the accused or corrupt officers for him to prove how he acquired his wealth or assets and not the prosecution.”

  • Rivers Impeachment crisis: Clark urges Tinubu to caution Wike

    Rivers Impeachment crisis: Clark urges Tinubu to caution Wike

    The Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark has called on President Bola Tinubu to wade into the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State by cautioning the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike.

    The call follows the impeachment notice served on the governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubura by members of the state Assembly.

    Twenty-four out of the 32 members of the state Assembly signed the impeachment notice on Monday, October 30.

    Briefing on the situation in Rivers state, Clark said the president should caution Wike and the security agencies in order to avert any untold crisis in the state.

    He said: “I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers State in the last 24 hours. I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalaye Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office.

    “I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. And that the intention is to remove the Governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person as the governor of the State.

    “Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen! President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.

    “Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt, in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the State. The governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the Assembly Complex after the incident, to assess the level of damage.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Clark calls for removal of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    “We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all Rivers people who have suffered enough political crises, the state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta Region by extension. The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the National Economy.

    “What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further “remote controlled”?

    “Mr. Nyesom Wike was Governor for 8 years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an Emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015.

    “President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the Country at large. A word is enough for the wise!”

  • Clark seeks exclusion of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    Clark seeks exclusion of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark yesterday called for the exclusion of Abia, Imo and Ondo states from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. 

    He said states outside the coastline should not be part of the commission.

    According to him, the states were included in the NDDC Act for convenience, though a political aberration. 

    The former National Commissioner urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate a bill for the oil-producing states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom. 

    He said other states should establish a relationship with the oil companies and the Federal Government to have their arrangement.

    He wondered whether Bauchi, Sokoto and Kogi would also join NDDC since oil has been discovered in those places.

    The elder statesman explained that his stand was due to leadership agitation by the three states in the commission, which he believes the minorities do not deserve.

    He argued that a situation where minority shareholders are agitating for the Chairmanship and Managing Director position of the Commission was unwarranted.  

    Read Also: JUST IN: Clark calls for removal of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    Clark said: “It is true that the law provided for the rotation of the executive positions among the states based on the quantity of production but did not mention the sequence of rotation among the states. 

    “But the Federal Government decided that these executive positions only rotate among the four majorities of oil-producing states i.e. Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States based on equity, fair play and justice.

    “This is because it will be unreasonable and chaotic to extend it to the minority oil-producing states including Abia, Cross-River, Edo, Imo and Ondo. 

    “For instance, Imo is producing 1.02 per cent of the total oil production by the nine states. 

    “The NDDC Act indeed provides for the appointment of Managing Director and the two Executive Directors; Executive Director Finance Administration and Executive Director Projects. 

    “For all other activities of the NDDC, the Act emphasises the quantity of production of each state…

    “It will be unfair and inequitable for a state that produces 1.02 per cent to produce the Managing Director of the NDDC. 

    “It is, therefore, unreasonable, provocative and selfish for Imo which produces only 1.02 per cent quantum of oil to demand the removal of the chief executives of NDDC board that has been confirmed by the Senate.

    “NDDC should remain the six original Niger Delta coastal states. 

    “All other oil-producing states should establish a relationship with the oil companies and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly now that oil has been found in other parts of Nigeria, including Anambra, which is already producing 0.9 per cent; Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Lagos states. 

    “They cannot, therefore, be part of NDDC.”

  • JUST IN: Clark calls for removal of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    JUST IN: Clark calls for removal of Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    The Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, has called for the exclusion of Abia, Imo and Ondo states from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Clark said the states were included in the first place in the 2000 NDDC Act for convenience, though a political aberration.

    Read Also: NDDC vows to support Niger Delta youths

    The former national commissioner therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to re-enact a new bill for the Oil production that is Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom.

    Details shortly…

  • Clark condemns deplorable state of Niger Delta roads

    Clark condemns deplorable state of Niger Delta roads

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the road infrastructure in the Niger Delta. 

    Clark in an open letter to the President said the current state of roads in the oil rich region was appalling. 

    The Ijaw leader, who hailed Tinubu for his superb outing at the New York, United Nations General Assembly, lamented that Niger Delta had been neglected in the last eight years despite that the region sustained the country’s economy. 

    Read Also: Why I don’t celebrate my birthday again, by Edwin Clark

    He said the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration abandoned the region, while the people died daily because of road accidents. 

    Clark advised President Tinubu to write his name in gold by doing the needful. 

    He said the government should not make some parts of the country feel they are second class citizens.

    He said out of the over 500 roads listed for rehabilitation  by the administration, only 52.2 kilometres were within the region, while other regions had over 1,000 roads for rehabilitation.

    Clark stressed that President Tinubu must not allow the Southsouth to continue to experience neglect. 

    He pleaded with the President to do something on the situation as a matter of urgency. 

  • Clark, PANDEF, INC, others promise to sustain PAP’s gains

    Clark, PANDEF, INC, others promise to sustain PAP’s gains

    • Ex-agitators apologise, blame Ndiomu attack on frustration

    Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, the Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd.), the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and many other prominent stakeholders have promised to improve the gains of PAP to entrench the peace in the Niger Delta region.

    Other stakeholders, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC), former agitators, leaders and representatives of various ethnic nationalities in the region, made the resolution after a critical review of PAP, its benefits and challenges during a stakeholders’ meeting at the home of Chief Clark in Abuja.

    A communiqué issued after their deliberations reads: “We note that the programme has carried out various training and reintegration programmes, and urge that this should be sustained with greater vigour and funding. 

    “We advise that the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) continues to be inclusive, to cover all properly accredited delegates and ensure that all ratified benefits are fully paid. 

    Read Also: Hold governors accountable for palliatives, says Tinubu

    “We commend the Interim Administrator of the programme on the new initiatives to deepen socio-economic impact through the establishment of the PAP Cooperative Scheme, and enjoin all beneficiaries to wholly embrace it.

    “We call on the Federal Government to continue to improve the conditions for the implementation of the programme, as regards the welfare of beneficiaries, due to the sharply changed economic circumstances, which are currently prevailing in the country…”

    “We urge the Interim Administrator to establish liaison offices in the concerned states for the purpose of ensuring effective implementation of activities connected with execution of this important programme.

    “We agree on the need to establish an effective ‘single window liaison’ at the headquarters of the PAP for the purpose of resolving issues which are brought to the attention of the administrator.”

  • Shagari’s death national loss, say Obi, Fasanmi, Clark, Yakassai

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate Peter Obi, Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Southsouth leader Chief Edwin Clark and elder statesman Tanko Yakassai, have described the death of former President Shehu Shagari as a national loss.

     

    Obi: he showed leadership

    Obi spoke yesterday when he accompanied former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to Sokoto to commiserate with the Shagari family, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    His words: “Besides the lesson in patriotism and hard work, Shagari showed us that humility, care and love should be essential part of leadership, which is the hallmark of Atiku’s philosophy of leadership.”

    Obi, who described Shagari as “an urbane, compassionate, tolerant, polished politician and a leader worthy of emulation”, said some of the programmes he embarked on while leading the country, such as his “Green Revolution”, were conceived in good faith.

    On the challenges posed by Shagari’s death, Obi said the generation of Shagari is gradually passing out in obedience to the law of birth and death and that such development was a challenge to the youth to brace for leadership positions.

     

    Fasanmi mourns

    Pa Fasanmi, in a statement, described the death of the Second Republic President as a big loss to the country. He noted that “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 while I was in the Senate.

    “He was a gentle man; he tried his best as a former President of Nigeria. His elderly counsel will be missed. This is the time that his experience will be needed by the young politicians.”

    The Afenifere chieftain noted that “during Shagari’s time, corruption wasn’t rampant as it’s now. His dedication for the selfless service is what young men should emulate. We should learn from his words – One Nation, One Destiny.”

     

    Clark: he was honourable

    Chief Edwin Clark described the late President as an honorable man of integrity.

    He noted that Shagari was committed to his duties as a former President, attending Council of State meetings as much as he could and made meaningful contributions.

    The Ijaw leader, therefore, said the late former president would be greatly missed.

    The former National Commissioner said the news came to him as a surprise.

    He said his relationship with the late former president dated back to 1968, when they both serve as national commissioners and later as members of the same political party, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978.

    He noted that the sterling qualities of the late former president made him to be love and accepted by all.

    “I pray and plead with the politicians of today to imbibe and emulate the sterling qualities of this great politician,” Clark said.

     

    ‘A complete gentleman’

    Yakassai yesterday in Kano paid glowing tribute to Shagari, describing his death as a great loss to members of his family, the people of his Sokoto state and the nation.

    In a statement, Yakassai said Shagari was a complete gentleman and respected elder statesman, who was the most experienced politician in Nigeria’s recent history.

    According to the statement, Shagari served as minister in seven different Federal ministries at various times during the First Republic and the military government of General Yakubu Gowon.

    He noted that Shagari capped it all by being the first democratically elected executive President and Commander-in-Chief.

    Yakassai said: “A truly detribalised national leader, who regarded all Nigerians, as equal, without discrimination whatsoever. President Shagari was the only Nigerian leader, who enjoyed almost equal nationwide support of most Nigerians, both from the North and Southern parts of the country alike…

    ”May the Almighty Allah repose his gentle soul in eternal rest and give his family courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

  • Fed Govt stoking crises in states with security agencies, say Atiku, Clark, Emmanuel

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, former Federal Commissioner for Information Chief Edwin Clark and Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel have expressed concern over the increasing use of security agencies by the Federal Government to allegedly stoke crises in some states to intimidate opponents.

    They spoke at the meeting of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the umbrella body of traditional rulers, leaders and stakeholders of Niger-Delta states at the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    Abubakar and Clark specifically mentioned Akwa Ibom and Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Osun as some of the affected states .

    The former Vice President, represented by his running mate, Dr. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said while addressing PANDEF members at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, that the Federal Government was using security agencies to abet and aid what is wrong.

    He listed Akwa Ibom and Rivers as states being used as guinea pigs, adding: “And nobody is talking, when you talk, you become an enemy.”

    He also said there was nothing on ground in Niger Delta region where the resources of the country were derived, promising that if elected, his administration will focus on turning things around and ensuring that the country is governed by the rule of law.

    Abubakar said: “Niger Delta is where the resources are and when you travel around, you are not able to see anything on ground. In this country, you must insist and there is no reason in being fearful. We are committed to building a better Nigeria and unify Nigeria. We will focus on turning things for the better.”

    The PDP presidential candidate, who reaffirmed his commitment to restructure the country if voted into power come 2019, maintained that restructuring the country was the only way to go to ensure rapid and sustainable growth.

    “I am only joining to say that we need true federalism and we need it urgently; it will make Nigeria work. There is no country in the world that things are working as it is working in Nigeria. We must tell our leaders the truth and we must demand that they do the right thing,” he stated.

    Emmanuel, in his comments, said: “We want the country to have true federalism so that we will not have all these problems we are having. If we have a state police, it will be more law-abiding.

    “They are using this restructuring to intimidate us in the Niger Delta. Everything is about politics and when this 2019 comes and goes, what will we do again? Everything is on partisanship. It should not be. Even though they have sounded the drum of war, this state is still the most peaceful one in the country.”

    Clark frowned at what he described as increasing trend of desecrating the national institutions, particularly the Army and Police by using them for political gains.

  • Dickson, Clark warn against politicising security

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Ijaw National Leader Chief Edwin Clark have warned against politicising security agencies in the buildup to 2019 elections.

    The duo alleged increasing abuse of security agencies by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Government.

    A statement by Dickson’s media aide Fidelis Soriwei said Clark visited Dickson in Abuja at the weekend to commiserate with him on the death of his mother, Goldcoast Dickson.

    According to the governor, Nigerians were worried about the conduct of security agencies, alleging they were gradually becoming an extension of APC ahead of 2019.

    Dickson condemned the assassination attempt on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and the police invasion of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

    He described the action as an assault on democratic order, and said such should be discouraged.

    The governor added that the posting of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa State within three months showed a plot to destabilise the peace, security and stability of the state ahead of 2019.

    He called on relevant authorities and security agencies to promote the country’s democracy rather than putting it in jeopardy.

    “We are concerned about the conduct of security agencies ahead of 2019 elections. In fact, all lovers of Nigeria and democracy are concerned about the conduct of the security agencies.

    “The agencies have become an extension of the ruling party, which should not be so. The abuse of the security forces constitute a threat to the security, democracy and stability of the country.

    “In Bayelsa, we have had eight police commissioners in the last three months. It won’t take you long to know that there is a sinister game going on to destabilise and create instability in the state that we have worked hard to stabilise. We urge the security agencies to conduct themselves in a way that would stabilise democracy.

    “The greatest challenge we have ahead of the 2019 election is the conduct of the security agencies; that is the concern of well-meaning Nigerians. Politicians and people in government need to know that there is a country to govern after elections.

    “Let us not in the quest for election destroy these critical agencies of state and the career and reputation of these officials. When you politicise these agencies, you threaten the careers of these people who are professionals in their own right.”

    Clark condemned the erratic transfer of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa in three months, saying he was not surprised at the conduct of the police as they recently invaded his house in Abuja in a purported search for arms.