Chief Edwin Clark, an esteemed figure in politics and a prominent leader among the Ijaw community, has expressed his reluctance to provide extensive commentary on the potential presidency of Bola Tinubu.
He has chosen to withhold his remarks until after the conclusion of the election petitions tribunal, which is currently addressing the challenges to the outcome of the presidential poll that took place on February 25. Clark shared this perspective during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, as the nation prepares to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the annulment of the June 12 presidential election.
Asked for his views about the Tinubu presidency, which got underway on May 29, Clark said, “I don’t want to commend on that because the election tribunals are still sitting.
“I don’t want to make statements that are prejudicial. So, let the law take its normal course.”
Clark extended his support and endorsement to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, who secured the third position in the election. Obi has subsequently taken the matter to the election tribunal, contesting the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the poll.
In a separate development, on the occasion of June 12, the 96-year-old Clark emphasized the importance of a peaceful nation where all citizens are ensured equality under the law.
He said, “We all desire that we live in a country that is peaceful, that is free from crisis, security and economic challenges and low corruption level
“Corruption in the country is so high, which I always say since 2014, that government should declare a state of emergency on corruption.
“The rate at which corruption is going on in the country is terrible where every arm of government cannot be trusted.
“We want a Nigeria where all of us live together peacefully and there is no discrimination and we should all obey the provision of the constitution, which states there should be no state religion.
“There should be no promotion of a particular religion over and above others.
“When we were in the 2014 National Conference as an elder statesman, we made a lot of recommendations for the survival of Nigeria as a country.
“A united country free from crisis, where all the citizens are equal before the law and anyone of them can rise to any position you want to lead,” he said.
