***Urges Fubara to publicly disown the agreement
The Minister of Information in the First Republic under General Yakubu Gowon Regime, Chief Edwin Clark, has taken on President Bola Tinubu for giving directives to the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State for which he lack the authority
This is just as the elder Statesman confirmed that information at his disposal indicated that the peace agreement purportedly signed by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike was fake.
Clark stated this while addressing journalists in his Abuja home on Tuesday.
He said stakeholders in Rivers State including former governors and leaders of the ethnic nationalities and religious groups had confirmedd to him that Fubara didn’t sign pact.
Clark said, “I have got information from Rivers State that that the 8-point decision was fake because it was not signed by former Governor Peter Odili and Fubara himself, they rejected it.
“How they came into signing it, nobody knows. How they came into signing it nobody knows.
“This will be investigated by us. But just now I am appealing on behalf of our people that our dear son Governor Fubara to stand firm, that the President of Nigeria has no authority over him.
“The President was elected, he too was elected with various powers. The President is to rule over Nigeria while Fubara is to rule over Rivers State.
“This had been dealt with in several cases particularly between The Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Why has he now changed?
“Tinubu should respect the constitution under shich he sworn an oath.
“We still love him, we still believe in his leadership as President of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces but as citizens of this country we have a right to reject any of his obnoxious directive
“We will advise Governor Fubara to disown the purported agreement. He should speak out to Nigerians that he did not sign that agreement. He is not owing anybody any obligation.
“Wike was an emperor, a dictator for 8years in Rivers State. He destroyed Houses belonging to his opponents.
Clark commended President Bola Tinubu for heeding the various calls to mediate in the on-going crisis rocking Rivers State
He said, “However, the terms of settlement as contained in the Communique issued at the end of the reconciliatory meeting is what is baffling, appalling and unacceptable to the people, especially, the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
“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 elections89pķ, having first of gratified him by making him the Minister of FCT.”
He said the composition of the attendees of the meeting was one sided in favour of Wike.
Clark said, “While Martins Amaewhule, a former Speaker, was present at the meeting, it would have only been equitable and expedient, for Edison Ehie, the Speaker as affirmed by constitutional provisions and by the granting of the court, to be in the meeting, if there were sincerity of purpose.
“The eight-point resolutions reached, are the most unconstitutional, absurd and obnoxious resolutions at settling feuding parties that I have ever witnessed in my life.
“As a matter of fact, some media platforms captured it very well when they described it as directives.
“For the fact that such thing was done at the villa, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is sacrilegious, because any place housing or is a custodian of symbol of authority, ought to be sacred.
“It is obvious that Governor Siminialayi Fubara was ambushed and intimidated into submission. President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution”
As the leader of the Ijaw People Clark said he had the authority of his people including a former governor of Rivers State, Chief Ada George, and others.
He said stakeholders in Rivers State had asked Fubara to rebuild the House of Assembly and that any attempt to impeach him will be resisted.
The elderstatesman said the leaders had appealed to the youths to maintain peace because it was a battle that must be fought to the end.
He said, ” I speak with their authority. They asked that I should hold this press conference. They said at the end, they will meet to endorse my position and give further directives to the Governor.
“Section. 5 (1) gave the President power over other things but his power did not extend to the state but President Tinubu want to please Nyeson Wike, who is he?
“He has now decided to handover the Political leadership of Rivers State to Wike. It is unacceptable to the people of Rivers State.
“This is because they are planning to take over Rivers State in 2027 under APC. I would not be surprised if by tomorrow they will intimidate Fubara to join the APC in order to make Rivers State an APC State God Forbid.
“It will not happen. Fubara in his own interest should not go with them. It will be a betrayal of Rivers people who voted for him particularly his Ijaw tribe who are standing by him.