Says Amaechi and Wike started Politics of Madness  in Rivers State

*** Reiterates that he has never met Fubara, he does not Know whether he is Black or not, he is only fighting against Injustice 

*** Says godfatherism must end in Nigeria Politics

***He wants to be remembered as a foremost Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, who believed in equality in this country, who believed that no one in Nigeria should be regarded as a superior person against the other

*** He asked those he offended to forgive him

FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader,  Chief Edwin Clark has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration,  FCTA, Nyesom Wike to remain focused and concentrate in the nation’s Capital because he has a lot to do and leave Rivers State Governor,  Siminalayi Fubara and the people of the state alone.

The Elder statesman who stated this in an Interview with African Independent Television, AIT on Tuesday however accused the former Rivers State governor and the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and his successor as the masterminds of what he described as politics of madness in Rivers State.

The Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum,  PANDEF who noted that godfatherism must give way in the nation’s polity and the practice of politics for the development and growth of democracy in the country, said that he has never Fubara ad he cannot ascertain his complexion,  said that he is only out to fight against injustice and oppression.

The interview by the AIT with Clark was in  Commemorations of his  97th Birthday as well as a  Documentary on his Life and Achievements.

When asked why attempts have not been made to settle both Wike and Fubara,  the Leader of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum,  SMBLF asked if they are quarrelling that would call for settlement,  stressing that what is playing out is egocentricism, the issue of I made you the governor of the state and you must worship me, but the other saying that he cannot worship man, but God, even though he agreed that he made the governor by the former governor.

Clark said, ” Who made you Governor of Rivers States,  today you don’t want to see the man? He wrote about Peter Odili but later now he said that if he does anything against Odili, God should kill him. Then, Amaechi made him Chief of Staff. When he quarreled with him, Ameachi now recommended  him to be appointed Minister, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo agreed.

“But what happened? One day, we had the approval of theresidency to tell the security people as  he got five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I have their names here, to impeach the speaker, one Otelemaba Amachreee. Then to later impeach, the governor, Rotimi Ameachi. There was a free-for-all fight. The mace  was broken. One of the members called Chidi, not somebody with a part of the mace. That man had to be flown abroad for treatment. Amaechi then closed the House of Assembly for one year. So that’s Wike’s work.

“Politics of madness in Rivers State was started by Wike and Ameachi. They don’t care about other people. So, there is no way, Wike should stay, remain in Abuja to do his job. Let the young man rule his place.

“What are you going to settle them for? Where they quarreling. What are you settling them for? People said Wike made Fubara governor, yes, that is true. The man has acknowledged it. But he says, I can’t worship a human being that  I will worship God to show appreciation. But Wike said that worship God through me. The man said no. That is the problem they have.”

On the Rivers State House of Assembly members who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress,  APC,  he said, “So, as far as I’m concerned, it will ease out. And this is tied to what you said about INEC. INEC is not doing its job. The constitution is clear. There’s a legal advisor in INEC office, Secretariat.

“When such vacancies are created like this, they have to take action to conduct election within 90 days to fill those vacant places, which they have not done. These are some of their failings.

When asked what he would like to be remembered for, Clark disclosed that he would want to be remembered as a foremost Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, who believed in equality in this country, who believed that no one in Nigeria should be regarded as a superior person against the other, just as  asked those he offended in the course of his sojourn and work to forgive him.

The South South leader said, “It must come from a home to be a Nigerian. So, as far as I remember, number one, I am one of the oldest states men in Nigeria. I was very happy when His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, during my book launch, Brutally Frank asked everybody to stand up, with General Yakubu Gowon, former President Goodluck Jonathan, among others  were all there. He said, everybody should stand up. The Ooni said that Chief Clark is our Baba,  he is our nationalist, a national figure. So, what honour do would be more than that ? So, I want to be remembered for the role I played in Nigeria, and an appeal to those that during these 70 something  years of my service to my country, those that I do not know that I have  offended, to forgive me.

“But I want to be remembered to be a foremost Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, who believed in equality in this country, who believed that no one in Nigeria should be regarded as a superior person against the other. Everybody should be equal.

” That is the Nigerian I want to be remembered for that. I contributed to that, which I did, because during the civil war, all the teachers and other workers from the South West or South East, South-South, left the North. There were no teachers, there were nobody. I was then the Commissioner  for Education, i was appointed by Bridgadier General  Samuel Ogbemudia, we supplied Kano State, 250 teachers, free of charge, they don’t pay out. Audu Bako was the governor; . They got integrated in Kano.

We gave North West, Sokoto the headquarters, 200 teachers; when Alhaji  Shehu Shagari was Commissioner for Education in Sokoto, North Western State. They didn’t treat them well, then the people returned home.

“We gave science teachers to the rest of the states. We had exchange of students, with North East, in Maiduguri.

And the other day, during the COVID-19, I got a call that the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu was coming to visit me. So he came. And he sat down somewhere, because of the COVID. Then he was saying, have you forgotten your pension?  He said exchange of students? I said, yes, yes, I remember. One of my daughters said, he was one of those who finished up in Government College in Maiduguri.

He said, yes, myself, I was sent to Edo College, where I did my HSC. And he used to come and talk to us. I said, come and sit by me. That’s all I wanted.

“When the war was over, Gen. Yakubu Gowon said, I don’t need any congratulations, that there was no victor, no vanquished because it was a family war. Go and help them to reintegrate, to reconcile and we have a station, which we did. My eldest daughter, Rebecca, was in Class 2 in St. Theresa School Ughelli. I removed her from Ughelli and took her to Enugu to go and study with them and see and suffer with them, supplied them desk.Government supplied Queen’s School, Enugu, Okanagan Grammar School, Enugu, with furnished teacher’s quarters in Nsukka, 10.

“So what am I saying? I’ve been in Nigeria. And I challenge anybody who says, Chief Clark was such and such, no way.

I kicked against corruption because I know it’s one of those things eating Nigeria.  I will be remembered for my role in education. When I was 85, I asked myself, what do I do? I must leave a legacy behind.

Shouting  on top of my voice is not enough. I said I want to establish a private University where children from all over the country will come to my village, live together, study together, and grow up together to be good citizens of their country and already, that is happening.”

Not all primary and secondary schools in Lagos State may resume from the current mid-term cum Sallah break because of the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state, the Commissioner for Primary and Basic Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has said.

He stated this on Tuesday in a chat with Vanguard newspaper.

According to him, the Ministry would have to wait for an advisory from the Ministry of Health to know the next line of action to take.

“Our schools are fully prepared for resumption. The necessary steps have been taken and we are on top of the situation. However, we are going to wait for the needed advisory from the Ministry of Health that is mapping out the areas affected by the outbreak of the disease.

” We hope to get the advisory later today and if the Ministry of Health tells us that going by their assessment of the situation across the state, they have found out some endemic areas where it would not be appropriate for schools to resume, schools won’t resume in such places. We cannot endanger the lives of our children.

“Later today (Tuesday) we will come out with the position of the government on the issue. If schools everywhere in the state are free to resume, no problem. The state government is not resting on its oars and has been taking steps to curb the outbreak of the disease,” he stated.

Alli-Balogun added that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been investing heavily on education and would not allow anything to rubbish the efforts.

Recall that students in public and private schools in the state have been on break for one and a half weeks.
The first week was for the mid term break and the first two days of this week were public holidays for the Sallah festivities.

However, the United Nations Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, few days ago raised the alarm that the government should ensure that the current outbreak of Cholera is not allowed to spread to school environment.

On Lagos Island particularly, which is also a densely populated area, residents are complaining about the dearth of potable water to use for personal and household chores.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, admitted that there is poverty and suffering in Nigeria, however, he claimed that Nigerians are not the only ones facing poverty in the world.

Tinubu, while speaking on how to tackle the challenges, said, there has to be a move to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can return to the farm.

According to a statement released through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said this when he received a delegation from the National Assembly who came to felicitate with him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

The delegation was led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, alongside the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, among others.

According to him, it is imperative for Nigerians to have a change of value system for the nation to make progress.

He said, “Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges.

“We must find a way to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can bring out food from the farmland.

“If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food and you are losing 60-70 per cent to damages, you will pay the price.”

He challenged citizens to have a change of mindset about Nigeria if the nation is to overcome its current challenges.

“The need (for some citizens) to change the rent-seeking mindset and become more productive to the economy is a challenge. The need to stop smuggling and all economic sabotage.

“Why should we have people removing rail tracks and all that, stealing electric cables and sabotaging the economy?

“We must embrace the campaign to change our value system. We must tell our people that the challenge we face is for all of us to change our mindset about our country,” Tinubu stressed.

The President also commended the leadership of the National Assembly for the support extended to his administration, which he said had resulted in some of the important developments recorded by his administration.

He stated, “It is a great pride for me to have the best of partners in the National Assembly. We have to drill down and be all-inclusive in our bid to satisfy our people.

“It is daunting, but we cannot run away from the fact that this country must survive the hardship.”

The President acknowledged the challenges and the task ahead, assuring the nation of his unwavering determination to turn things around.

A former presidential aide, Okoi Obona-Obla, has stated that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is not in a position to dictate appointments to be made by President Bola Tinubu for the governing councils of tertiary institutions in the country.

Obona-Obla said this against the background of the latest rejection of the fresh appointments made by President Tinubu into the governing board of public universities across the country.

Recalls the national president of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, had voiced disappointment regarding the composition of the newly constituted governing councils for federal universities across Nigeria.

According to Prof Osodeke, the new list of council members is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields.

Prof Osodeke further criticized the new list as being worse than its predecessor, indicating a regression rather than progress in the appointment policies.

But in his reaction, Obono-Obla said the federal government is not obliged to appoint only technocrats into the governing councils as the Constitution is clear about those who can be appointed into such positions by the President.

The former presidential aide argued that Tinubu is at liberty to appoint individuals who meet the constitutional requirement and the outcry by ASUU is totally misplaced.

He said, “My point is that appointment of the membership of the Governing Councils doesn’t require the appointment of only technocrats, as suggested by ASUU.

“Anybody can be appointed into the Council, as long as he fulfills the criterion spelled out in the statute, establishing the universities he has been appointed into.

“It is the prerogative of Tinubu to appoint anybody of his choice into any appointment as long as he meets with the condition(s) stipulated by the law.

Section 5 (a-h) of the University of Calabar Act 2004 provides as follows:

The Council of the University shall consist of:

(a) the Pro-Chancellor;

(b) the Vice-Chancellor;

(c) the Deputy Vice-Chancellors;

(d) one person from the Ministry responsible for Education;

(e) nine persons representing a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation to be appointed by the President;

(f) four persons appointed by the Senate from among its members;

(g) two persons appointed by the Congregation from among its members;

(h) one person appointed by Convocation from among its members.

Section 5 (e) of the University of Calabar Act,2004 is quite instructive.

“It prescribes the method or the quality of people that should be appointed into the governing council by Tinubu.

“Tinubu is required to appoint nine persons representing a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation.

“No special qualification is stated and is required as long as the appointment reflects a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation.

“Therefore, Tinubu has satisfied the requirements laid by the law for the appointment of members of the universities belonging to the Federal government of Nigeria.

“The impression that the political class doesn’t have within its fold Technocrats is misplaced.”

Nigerians have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to practice what he preaches, following his statement that Nigeria needs self-sacrificing citizens to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.

The president was also asked to ensure that his ministers, advisers, agency heads, governors at the subnational level, and other individuals in positions of authority lead by example.

They emphasized that sacrifice should start from the top and trickle down, rather than the other way around.

 Tinubu, addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el Kabir prayer at Dodan Barracks in Lagos on Sunday, stressed the need for people to follow the path of sacrifice to make the nation great.

“Being a very good citizen comes with responsibility. As citizens, what do you do to be a very committed member of our society? Go and sacrifice. Love your country, love your neighbours, share what you have with one another and be thankful to Almighty God. That’s all,” the President said.

The comment sparked reactions from various groups in Nigeria, including civil society organizations and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

An economist and lecturer at Saadatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Kano, and Director of the Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC), Dr. Abdulsalam Kani, criticized the government for not fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.

“The government has eliminated the fuel subsidy and raised electricity tariffs, causing hardship for many. They promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would start production in December last year, which has not happened. Despite these failures, they plan to purchase new aircraft for the president and vice president,” he stated.

He also highlighted the government’s inability to control inflation, which is currently over 33%.

“The government’s primary duty is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens,” he added.

Secretary-General of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA), Dr. Bakare Adegbola, remarked: “The president’s statement is typical of what politicians say during Eid celebrations, especially Eid-el-Kabir, which emphasizes sacrifice. However, when placed in a political context, it raises questions.

“Politicians often view their positions as business investments, aiming to recoup their expenses rather than make personal sacrifices,” he noted.

“Before asking the masses to sacrifice, the government should lead by example. The cost of governance is too high, and plans to buy new aircraft for the president are unnecessary when there are already ten. Selling some of the older planes would be a better approach,” he suggested.

Civil society organizations also voiced their opinions.

Team Lead/Convener of the Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, Tunde Salman, stated that President Tinubu and his team should practice what they preach.

“Unfortunately, Nigerian leaders often do not follow through on their promises, so the president’s appeal is likely to be ignored,” he said.

Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, Mark Amaza, criticized the call for more sacrifices from citizens, noting that leaders are not making similar sacrifices.

“Cutting governance costs, reducing cabinet size, and eliminating extravagant spending are necessary steps that should be taken to show solidarity with citizens during these hard times,” Amaza emphasized.

Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, called the president’s appeal insensitive.

“Neither the president nor the ruling class has the moral authority to demand more sacrifices from Nigerians, who are already living in poverty despite the country’s abundant resources,” he said.

Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), Andrew Mamedu, insisted that the president’s call must be backed by actions from the government.

“The country is grappling with inflation and a high cost of living. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has rightly demanded a higher minimum wage to help workers cope, yet the disparity between the sacrifices expected from ordinary Nigerians and the lavish lifestyles of lawmakers remains glaring,” he noted.

Executive Director of the Cleen Foundation, Gad Peter, questioned what sacrifices President Tinubu and his administration are making to improve the lives of Nigerians.

“While Nigerians have sacrificed to elect him, what is he doing to ensure they benefit from democracy?” he asked.

Former National Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yinka Folarin, described Tinubu’s statement as unfortunate, suggesting it could further agitate the public.

“Nigerians are already sacrificing and enduring economic hardship. The president appears disconnected from the people’s struggles,” Folarin commented.

The PDP urged President Tinubu to curb corruption within his administration and lead by example before asking Nigerians to make sacrifices.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that leadership must set an example in sacrifice to inspire public confidence.

“Nigerians have lost faith in the APC government due to its failure to provide clear policies for security and economic wellbeing, leading to widespread disappointment,” Ologunagba stated.

Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has warned President Bola Tinubu against interfering with the politics of Kano state.

Naija News reports that Galadima made this known during an interview with Arise News on Monday night.

Galadima said Tinubu should be mindful of the Kano politics because it might destroy his presidency.

According to him, some powerful politicians and rich men in Kano met with President Tinubu to intervene in the legal tussle between the Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf and the All Progressive Congress (APC), governorship candidate in the last election, Nasiru Gawuna.

Galadima added that if Boko Haram can hold Nigeria ransom in the last 13 to 14 years, Tinubu will not be able to withstand the issue that will come from Kano if he interferes in the state politics.

He said, “I want to tell the Federal Government, including my friend, President Bola Tinubu, that he should be mindful of Kano politics, it will destroy his presidency. They never agree on any issue and I have an inherent knowledge of how we deal with the issue of Kano politics during the NPN when I was the youth leader.

“I know some very powerful politicians in Kano, including some rich men who came to meet the president, that they should remove Abba Yusuf and nothing will happen and the man I know should be smarter than what he is by telling that fine nothing will happen and ask them that how did it happen that you didn’t win election in the first place. If Boko Haram can hold the Nigerian nation to ramson for the last how 13 to 14 years, they should be careful with Kano. We have come of age in Kano and I am not threatening anyone. That is all I can say.”

The Nigerian Presidency believes the economy is getting better, even with the inflation rate climbing to 33.69%.

Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a recent interview with Television Continental (TVC).

Onanuga mentioned that the month-to-month inflation rate has slightly decreased, showing a positive trend.

He also noted that food prices have been falling and are expected to continue declining nationwide, despite reports of a significant increase.

Onanuga stated that President Tinubu is diligently working to introduce measures to mitigate the impact of the federal government’s reforms on the populace.

The Presidency emphasized that the current economic issues were inherited, noting that inflation was already at 23.65% when President Tinubu took office.

“I read a report recently saying inflation has moved to a staggering 33.69%. How is it staggering? Last month in April, inflation was 33.4 something. Then it moved by a mere 0.26%.

“In fact, from March to April, inflation slowed down. So things are improving. People will soon begin to feel the impact of all these reductions.

“I had a call from my town a few days ago, with someone telling me the price of garri is going down. Inflation is on a reduction level. And it’ll continue to go down.

“This government when it came in May last year, inflation was at 23.65%. The movement from there till now is about 10.4%.

“We already had some problems before this government came into office. We didn’t create all the problems. We inherited many of them. And this government is making so much effort to reduce these problems.

“One of those things that the government is doing is the introduction of a student loan scheme. Millions of students will benefit from this. This will also help the parents at home,” Onanuga said.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.95% in May 2024 from 33.69% in April 2024, with food inflation reaching 40.66% year-on-year.

...pays tribute to outgoing council leaders

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take charge of their respective councils, following the expiration of the tenure of 23 local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.

Fubara gave the directive in a statewide address on Tuesday, June 18 on the tenure expiration of the LG council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors of the 23 councils of the state.

The governor, who stressed the need to uphold the Constitution and maintain law and order, ordered the heads of local government administration to serve with renewed vigour and await further directives.

The governor, however, paid tribute to outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors whose tenures expired on June 17, 2024, after three years of dedicated service to the state.

He, on behalf of the Rivers State government and citizens, expressed gratitude for their sacrifices and commitment to public service, congratulating them on their successful completion of tenure.

The governor wished them well in their future pursuits, acknowledging their contributions to the state’s development.

Amidst the brewing tension in the state, the governor also called for unity just as he urged all stakeholders to reflect on the sacrifices made towards achieving a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State and Nigeria.

He expressed his desire for continued peace and harmony among all, highlighting the significant milestones achieved collectively in various sectors.

These achievements, he noted, have had a profound impact on communities across the state.

He, however, reaffirmed his commitment to Rivers State’s development and reassured the people of the state of his administration’s unwavering dedication.

He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the well-being and progress of the state and its people.

“I assure you, my good people of Rivers State that we shall continue to defend, and provide infrastructural development, sound health care delivery, quality education and an undiluted welfare package for all our people and workers,” he said.

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party has lambasted ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, for describing the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as an outsider.

The PDP said it was contradictory for Shaibu to remain in the PDP and be demarketing the party’s governorship candidate, urging him to rather resign his membership.

Shaibu, a PDP member, declared on Sunday that he would be supporting the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

He said while Okpebholo was a homeboy, who understood the challenges in the state, the PDP candidate, Ighodalo, was an outsider and a product of godfatherism.

“We don’t want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider and it is not working, so this time, we want a homeboy. We have only two homeboys in the major political parties; one is in the Labour Party and one is in the All Progressives Congress.

“I chose to follow the homeboy in the APC. The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. The man the PDP is parading is the godson of Obaseki and there is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State again,” Shaibu had said.

But reacting on Monday, the Deputy Director General of the media arm of the Edo PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Rev. Olu Martin, described Shaibu’s reason for supporting the APC candidate as baseless.

“Because the candidate didn’t grow up in Edo, doesn’t make him a stranger in his own state.

“I thought Shaibu would tell us that the candidate he wants to support has the capacity, intelligent, knack for excellence and smartnees, which are the hallmarks of a great leader,” Martin said in a voice note sent to journalists on Monday.

Martin added that it was contradictory for Shaibu to remain in the PDP and be working against the candidate of the party.

“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” he said.

Shaibu contested but lost the PDP governorship ticket to Ighodalo, who has the backing of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen would rather join one of his Premier League suitors that moved to PSG League, as the 25-year-old is set to leave Napoli this summer.

Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners for his signature, and the former Lille striker is eagerly awaiting calls from the duo, according to reports in Itlay.

PSG initially earmarked him as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who is on his way to Real Madrid, but according to Monday’s Corriere dello Sport, Osimhen is not interested in joining the French giants, being unconvinced about playing in Ligue 1. Instead, he considers the Premier League his dream destination, making Arsenal and Chelsea the favourites to land him ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Osimhen, who won the Serie A Golden Boot award in the 2022–23 season, signed a new contract with Napoli in December, which has a release clause reportedly set at €120–€130 million (£101 million).