Chief Edwin Clark Under Fire – Northern Governors believe Aso Rock is their Birth Right. (for saying the truth)

Some Northern leaders and governors have described Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark as an ethnic Champion who does not see beyond his nose.

Chief Clark in an interview on an edition of Saturday Sun accused governors in the North of engaging in blind stealing of public funds at the expense of their people and the region’s development. His words:

“These people are very uncomfortable. As far as they are concerned if Jonathan today invites some of them to Aso Rock and brings dinner they would be lamenting, because they believe they are the people who ought to be giving Jonathan to eat. They believe that Aso Rock belongs to them; that it is their birthright. Aso Rock belongs to everybody in this country.

“Tell me one of the Northern governors that is performing. They are not performing, they are stealing the money, and they should account for the allocation made to them. Under section 102 of the constitution, every month they come with their brief cases to take money. Why can’t they open school for their children? Do they have to wait for the Federal Government to open schools for their children? Why can’t they build health centres for their people, why can’t they establish small industries for their people, why can’t they build roads? Some of them enjoy the poor system in their area, some of them enjoy the class system in their area, where if you don’t have food to eat they allow you to wonder.”

Reacting to Clark’s sweeping allegations, Governor Kashim Shettima described the former Federal Information Commissioner, as someone who acts against his age, praying that “I want to grow old like Clark, but I pray never to be like him when I grow old.”

“It is people like Elder Edwin Clark that do not really understand who we are and who we should be in this country. Power doesn’t last forever. Every opportunity you have is one that you must miss someday, however long.  He is 87, he should be a father to all, and he should champion the course of nation building and not sectional interest, if for nothing else, at least for his age. From the moral point of view, God gives some consideration to the youngest and the eldest. Let us continue to urge him in a polite manner, to see Nigeria beyond his walking stick. The hat that he puts on should provide shield not only to his grey hairs but to the young hairs of other Nigerians regardless of where they come from. Age should always go with wisdom of tolerance, wisdom of truth and defense of it, wisdom of togetherness and national unity.”

Speaking in the same vein, a National Vice Chairman of the apex pro-North group, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Senator Joseph Waku described Clark’s allegations against the North and some of its leaders as the rumbling of a rabble-rouser.

According to Waku “At 87, Chief Clark should be more of a father than a rabble-rouser. Go to the states in the North and see what some of the governors are doing even with their meager resources. The monthly federal allocation to Akwa Ibom state alone is more than that of nine states in the North put together. He can criticize but shouldn’t make sweeping allegations of corruption and non-performance against the North and its leaders.

“If I reach his age, I will be more of a father than a thug. In some of his talks, you sometimes find elements of senility and thuggery and that’s why some of us don’t bother joining issues with him so that the public can spot the difference.”

My Take:

And what has Chief Clark said that is not true. What has the governors of the Northern States really do for their people with the meager resources according to Senator Joseph Waku? Let’s see where you live compare to what you have done for your people.

An 87-year old man is talking and instead of you listening, you have the guts to reply him, maybe you don’t want to live long.

How many of Nigeria’s Head of States and Presidents have come from the North and how many from the South and yet, these Northern governors think it’s their right to “live” in Aso Rock. Is it there father’s house or is the national cake only for them?

If Nigeria was to divide today, do all these laud mouth Northern Governors think the north can stand on it's own? On what, tomatoes and pepper?

I am not an advocate for division but the truth must be told, sadly this is sometime public servants hardly do today.

Chief Clark has said nothing but the truth. So help us God.