Posted by By TUNDE THOMAS on
Former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has insisted that it is only a declaration of a state of emergency that can save Rivers State from plunging into deeper anarchy and chaos.
•Insists on emergency rule in Rivers
Former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has insisted that it is only a declaration of a state of emergency that can save Rivers State from plunging into deeper anarchy and chaos.
Making this declaration Wednesday, while reacting to Rivers State government's assertion that it was capable of bringing the deplorable security situation in the state under control, Clark described Governor Celestine Omehia's claim as a propaganda gimmick.
According to him, "Omehia has lost control of the situation in Rivers State. In actual fact, he is a major part of the problem. The best solution is for a state of emergency to be declared by the Federal Government. Omehia should be removed, while a military administrator with the rank of an Army General, Admiral or Air Vice-Marshal should be appointed. We can't fold our hands as elders, and continue watching situation degenerate."
While describing Omehia's opposition to a state of emergency as an attempt by the governor to cling to power at all cost, Clark said: "We are not surprised by Omehia's position. He is a desperate man bent on holding on to power. Since he didn't contest any primary before he was hand-picked by former Governor Odili, he is afraid of re-contesting again if he is removed. He is not a politician, and was not even prepared for the job and this is why he can't control the situation," he declared.
The elder statesman lambasted Omehia and the State Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Okah as being rude and uncultured over the duo's declaration that Clark's call for a state of emergency was a senseless one.
"Who is Omehia and Okah to describe myself and other elders calling for a state of emergency as making a senseless suggestion. The two of them have shown that they lack manners. Those of us who they describe as making senseless suggestion are old enough to be their fathers. When some of us were in government as ministers or governors, where were they? They were still toddlers tied to the apronstring of their mothers," he declared.
Insisting that Omehia was not fit to be governor of Rivers State, Clark quipped: "Where is the seriousness in Omehia? If he is a serious governor or politician, why should he abandon Rivers State when the state was still boiling to go and take part in a birthday bash in Abuja for his godfather, Peter Odili? Omehia is not a sensitive leader."
Clark further implored President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua not to dilly-dally in imposing a state of emergency on Rivers State, adding that failure to do so would be tantamount to postponing the evil day.
"Ijaw elders and other Niger-Delta leaders who are calling for a state of emergency have no personal grudge or score to settle with Omehia. What we want is for peace to reign in Rivers State, and the only way to achieve this is for Omehia to step aside for a neutral administrator."