Politics
RIVERS WILL IMMORTALISE PA CLARK, IF FG FAILS TO DO THE NEEDFUL – GOV. FUBARA …Leads Rivers stakeholders in condolence visit to Pa Clark’s family, PANDEF
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assured that Rivers State would immortalise demised Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark if the other States and Federal Government fails to do same.
Gov. Fubara, leading the elders, leaders and stakeholders from Rivers State on a condolence visit to the Clark’s Abuja home Tuesday, February 25, 2025, said he had to dress in white attire instead of black mourning attire because the Ijaw Leader, Chief Clark led a life well spent and dedicated to serving the common good of man for 97 years.
The governor in the company of former Rivers governor, Chief Rufus Ada George, Rt. Hon Austin Okpara, Sen Lee Maeba, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Prince Uche Secondus were welcomed by Clark’s family and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led by Amb Godknows Igali.
In his solemn speech he said, “Some persons will live very briefly with impact. Pa Clark lived very long for 97 years which is not a joke and he led it with full energy, still contributing positively before his departure.
“So, I join the family since it pleases God at this time for him to leave us, but while he is not here we cherish the wonderful works he did while alive.”
He said the history of Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning the role Pa Clark and his contemporaries played in the country and expressed joy to be associated with such a great character.
“These are the particular characters we encourage people to be associated with. Character of integrity, uprightness, not greed, but one that is selfless.”
On what Pa Clark meant to him, Gov. Fubara said he was “a father to me, such that in my most trying time, he stood by me, he spoke truth to power and wasn’t scared. I appreciate that role he played.”
The governor said he decided not to come under the Ijaw platform but a reflection of Rivers State with the delegation that cuts across the State to include Rt. Hon Austin Okpara, Sen Lee Maeba, and a former governor of Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George. Others on the delegation include Sir Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and a host of others.
Gov. Fubara stated that the delegation is to tell the family that Rivers State feels the pain of the death of Pa Clark, but noted that “it is no longer a pain to us, but a life well spent” and assured that his government will follow the decision of the family to ensure that the patriarch is given a befitting burial.
“His contribution of fighting for human rights and defending the oppressed is worth immortalising and let me make this promise here. If it is not done from this other side, we will immortalise him in Rivers State.”
To the family, he cautioned, “Our father led a very wonderful life. Not like he doesn’t have his own shortcomings but you people should try as much as possible to live in love, that is the only way the legacy and the good work he has done can be sustained.”
He emphasised that at this moment some may want to claim right, but pleaded that they don’t allow division to creep into their midst admonishing that they, “be more united now than ever,” as that is “the only way we the children outside can come in and support you to make sure that his legacy remains.”
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
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