In a shocking revelation, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader, Pa Edwin Clark, has denounced the recent truce brokered between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as an “imposed settlement.
Clark, addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, expressed grave dissatisfaction with the terms outlined in the reconciliatory communique, deeming it “baffling, appalling, and unacceptable” to the people, particularly the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
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The political turmoil in Rivers State, which has unfolded over the past three months, reached its peak with a meeting at the Aso Villa in Abuja involving President Tinubu, Wike, Fubara, and other political figures. The rift, manifested through a split in the state House of Assembly, witnessed 27 lawmakers defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where Wike currently serves as a minister.
The feud escalated with parallel sittings, an impeachment plot against the governor, the demolition of the Assembly complex, and resignations of pro-Wike commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet.
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Despite earlier interventions by the President and elder statesmen in October, the crisis persisted, leading to Monday’s meeting.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to withdraw all court cases initiated by Fubara and his team, and the dropping of impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Additionally, the parties resolved to recognize the leadership of Martin Amaewhule in the Rivers State House of Assembly, not Edison Ehie.
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Reacting swiftly to the announced armistice, Clark criticized the terms of settlement, stating, “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.
Clark labeled the resolutions as “unconstitutional, absurd, and obnoxious,” expressing concern that Fubara was “ambushed and intimidated into submission.” He emphasized the violation of the constitution during the meeting, asserting that legal means would be pursued to resist what he deemed an “oppressive action.”
In this note, I wish to appeal to the aggrieved youths to remain calm as we will use legal means to dethrone this hydra-headed monster called oppression,” concluded Clark, signaling the intent to challenge the decision in court.
