In a recent statement, veteran statesman Chief Edwin Clark voiced concerns to President Bola Tinubu regarding Nyesom Wike’s stance, asserting that the former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCT, is not committed to sustaining peace amidst the political turmoil gripping the state.
Clark emphasized that Wike’s ongoing activities serve as clear indicators of his reluctance to pursue peace within Rivers State. This sentiment arises despite Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis, where he presented an ‘8-point pact’ mandating both parties involved, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his allies, to retract all court cases related to the matter. Notably, this move was deemed contradictory to the 1999 Constitution and the prevalent outlook of the people of Rivers and Nigerians at large.
Fubara and his associates, including the court-recognized Speaker Edison Ehie, abided by the agreement. However, Clark highlighted the failure of the 26 defected legislative members who had filed court cases to follow suit. Their refusal ultimately led to a judicial ruling by Justice James Omotoso on January 22, 2024, culminating in the annulment of the 2024 Budget presented, passed, and enacted by Governor Fubara.
Justice Omotoso cited the legislators’ absence of evidence regarding the settlement of the matter before him as the basis for his judgment. Clark underscored Fubara’s compliance with Tinubu’s directives, albeit in violation of the 1999 Constitution, “for the sake of peace,” affirming that the majority of Nigerians expressed discontent with the terms of the settlement.
Clark articulated that Wike’s actions, running contrary to the Constitution which Fubara, as the Governor of Rivers State, pledged to uphold, cast doubt on his commitment to fostering peace in the state. He urged Tinubu to caution Wike and allow Fubara to govern the state peacefully.
