The Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Pa Edwin Clark, has vehemently rejected the recently brokered truce between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Describing the agreement as an “imposed settlement,” Clark expressed his dissatisfaction during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The elder statesman labeled the communique resulting from the reconciliatory meeting as “baffling, appalling, and unacceptable,” particularly to the Ijaw ethnic nationality. This follows weeks of political turbulence in Rivers State, culminating in a high-stakes meeting at the Aso Villa in Abuja on Monday, attended by the President, Wike, Fubara, and other key political figures from the state.
Clark to Tinubu: “Intervene in Rivers Crisis with Wike”
Rivers State has been gripped by a political crisis for the past three months, with the House of Assembly becoming a battleground. The conflict between Wike and Fubara led to a significant defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where Wike currently holds a ministerial position.
The discord resulted in parallel sittings, an impeachment plot against Governor Fubara, the demolition of the Assembly complex, and a series of resignations by pro-Wike commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet. Despite earlier interventions in October by the President and elder statesmen, the situation escalated into a full-blown confrontation.
In the aftermath of Monday’s meeting, both factions agreed to withdraw all court cases initiated by Governor Fubara and drop impeachment proceedings against him. The settlement also recognized the leadership of Martin Amaewhule in the Rivers State House of Assembly, sidelining Edison Ehie.
Reacting to the accord, Pa Edwin Clark stated,
“From the terms of settlement, it is obvious that President Tinubu sees his role as a mediator, to once again, show gratitude to the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for ‘delivering’ Rivers State to him during the past Presidential elections, having first gratified him by making him the Minister of FCT.”
Invoke “Doctrine of Necessity” for Ondo Leadership Crisis – Clark Urges Tinubu
The nonagenarian leader further alleged that Governor Fubara was “ambushed and intimidated into submission.”
“The eight resolutions reached, are the most unconstitutional, absurd and obnoxious resolutions at settling feuding parties that I have ever witnessed in my life.”
“President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution. From all that transpired at the meeting, the laws of the land have not been obeyed. President Tinubu simply sat over a meeting where the Constitution, which is the fulcrum of his office as President and which he swore to uphold and abide by, was truncated and desecrated.”
“Like I said, we will go to go court to resist this oppressive action using all available constitutional and legal means. It is on this note I wish to appeal to the youths who are aggrieved, to remain calm, as we will use legal means to dethrone this hydra headed monster, called oppression,” Clark said.
Historic Truce in Rivers as Wike, Fubara Unite After Aso Villa Summit
