FCT Minister Wike Dares Clark, Says Ijaw Leader Is Not PDP Member

By Ayodele Oni

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has declared that Chief Edwin Clark, leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, who has demanded an investigation and his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), is not a member of the party.

He made this statement during a media briefing on Wednesday, celebrating his first year as the FCT Minister.

Clark, in a letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, on Tuesday, urged him to “immediately set up a probe panel/committee to probe members like Nyesom Wike, and if found guilty, to face the appropriate sanctions as prescribed by the party’s constitution.

Responding, Wike pointed out that Clark had opposed his gubernatorial ambitions in 2014, yet he still contested and won the position. Wike emphasized that no one had contributed to the party’s progress as much as he had.

He also stated that there was nothing to investigate, pointing out that the elder statesman had called for a Southern Presidency, which Wike had supported and adhered to.

“I don’t know the party that Chief Clark belongs to. Frankly speaking, since I entered the PDP I have never seen him at any PDP meeting.

“I do not like to react to elder statesmen like that. But let me tell you the history so that people will know.

“In 2014 when I came out to run, Edwin Clark now said no, that it was the turn of the Ijaws, and that nothing would make me be the Governor. I said ‘Well, it is my right to run, and if I fail  I come back’. But to the Glory of God, I ran, and I won.

“Since then, Edwin Clark has written me letters, but I have refused to talk to anybody. I said I will not answer.

“I was not a bad person when I championed for the Ijaw man to be Governor; I have become a bad person simply because there are issues, and I kept quiet.

“There is nothing Chief Edwin Clark an elder statesman has not said, but I will never, I will not reply to anything. If there is anybody who has contributed to the growth of PDP as far as today, it is me.

“So, when I read that he said they should investigate me, investigate me for what? He was one of those who was talking about a Southern president, and I supported a Southern President, so what are you going to investigate me for?

“Chief Edwin Clark was one of those who said power must rotate to go to the South, so what is the crime I have committed that I also believe in that.”