A former Federal Commissioner for Information and prominent South South elder,  Edwin Clark, has slammed the Sokoto State Governor and the National Chairman of the PDP for their dysmal conduct .

Chief Edwin Clark expressed disgust over the dishonourable actions of the duo, during and after the just concluded presidential primary of the PDP and asked the national chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to step aside.

Clark, who is also the leader of Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, and Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, said in a statement  that it has become imperative for Ayu to resign.

He said given the overt display of partisanship on the part of the  chairman, he has lost the right to preside over the National Working Committee of the PDP.

Senator Iyorcha Ayu, PDP National Chairman

“Senator Ayu has failed to realize that what we are fighting for affects all minorities in Nigeria. The Southern Nigeria relationship with the Middle Belt is well established, dating back to the First Republic, during the period of Dr. J. S. Tarka, from today’s Benue State, a founding member of the then, United Middle Belt Congress, and the strong alliance with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group.

‘’The relationship subsisted during the Second Republic, when the minorities of the South and the minorities of the north combined to fight for a common cause, the inclusion and full participation of all minorities in the politics and governance of the country, of which I was the leader.

“Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s appalling, thoughtless and unpatriotic public conduct bears grave negative consequences.

“He should, therefore, no longer consider himself fit and proper to retain his position as the national chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP”, Clark said in his statement.

The elder statesman equally lampooned Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who stepped down for Atiku Abubakar at the venue of the convention at the very last moment.

Noting that Tambuwal acted in a despicable and dishonourable manner, Clark acknowledged that his action constituted a serious electoral abnormality and a tragic betrayal of nationalism and patriotism.

“I  was alarmed by the outrageous and Machiavelli manner Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, was so apparently ‘arranged’ to announce his withdrawal from the contest, at the last minute; his spe

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto Governor

ech changed the mood of the event.

 

‘’That was done in order to foist another northerner as the party’s flag bearer, having regard to the fact that Governor Aminu Tambuwal was the only aspirant from the whole of the North West, which had about 192 delegates at the convention.

“What Tambuwal did was not only dishonourable but also a serious electoral abnormality and a tragic betrayal of national patriotism for hidebound interests.

“Another Northern aspirant, Mr Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a businessman from Borno State, had earlier also suddenly, withdrawn from the contest, citing its obscene monetization as his reason, but we now know better.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State

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Clark nonetheless hailed the efforts of the convention committee chaired by former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and his assistants, particularly the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri.

“These happenings give strong warnings of, more likely, deleterious outcomes of the 2023 general elections, mainly the presidential and their aftermaths.

“Most disturbing is what happened at the Special National Convention of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja, on Saturday, May 28, 2022. I followed the live broadcast of the proceedings keenly, until about 12.30 am on Sunday, the 29th.

  Chief Edwin Clark

“I was quite impressed by the efforts of the Convention Committee, which was headed by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and his assistants, particularly, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri.

“But, sadly, the outcome of the election leaves much to be desired; it was very unjust and rather unwholesome. It will definitely impact severe, adverse ramifications on the future unity of the country.”

Clark blamed Southern candidates for not heeding the warnings of elders from the region. Urging them to stick to demands for power rotation.