In an open letter to Senator George Sekibo, former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, revealed that prominent politicians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Rivers State governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi, are no longer on speaking terms with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Clark, a 97-year-old leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), chronicled his role and those of other prominent Ijaw leaders in the politics of Rivers State and how they supported Wike’s rise to power.
He stated that Wike owes his political success to four people: John Mbata, Andrew Uchendu, Peter Odili, and Goodluck Jonathan, but is now at odds with them.
Clark emphasized that the Ijaws have made significant sacrifices for Wike’s political ascension and expects him to acknowledge and respect their contributions.
He recalled how Ijaws fought against the military during the 2019 governorship election to ensure Wike’s reelection as Rivers State governor, adding that Wike could not afford not to support Ijaw persons for the 2023 Rivers State governorship election.
Clark counseled Sekibo to advise Wike to face his work in Abuja and leave the governor to do his work, emphasizing that the fight is about what is proper and not a fight between the Ijaws and other groups.
The letter was copied to President Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
