Rivers Crisis: “Fubara was Ambushed, Intimidated” – Edwin Clark

Elder statesman and convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has reacted to the resolutions between Rivers governor Sininalayi Fubara and FCT minister Nyesom Wike after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Fubara and Wike have been at loggerheads over the political control of Rivers State.

Earlier, President Tinubu had intervened in the matter but the agreement failed to yield any fruits as the political atmosphere in the state became more tensed.

However, the duo agreed to end the feud at a meeting with Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Clark said the resolutions are “baffling, appalling and unacceptable” to Rivers people.

Clark stressed that the eight-point resolution is “undemocratic and dictatorial”, adding that it is aimed at handing over the political leadership of Rivers to Wike.

The elder statesman said the resolution that the Rivers 2024 budget should be presented again to the house of assembly is “another unthinkable directive”.

His words: “The eight 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 captured it very well when they described it as directives.

“And 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.

“From all that transpired at the meeting, the laws of the land have not been obeyed.

“We will resist such draconic, arbitrary and unconstitutional action by Mr. President and his customer, Nyesom Wike.

“We will go to court to challenge this so-called one-sided and oppressive action of Mr. President.”