Politics

Be careful, we don’t take orders from you, Ijaw monarchs warn Clark

Published

8 years ago

August 28, 2016

The much anticipated dialogue with Niger Delta Militants by the Federal Government, may have started on a wrong footing as Ijaw traditional rulers have said they were withdrawing the honour they gave Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

The monarch stated this on Saturday after a meeting in Warri, Delta State.

The monarchs, who were angered by comments credited to Clark querying their trip to Abuja to meet with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu without his knowledge, and participation of other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, said they are not subject to the wishes of the former federal commissioner of information in their efforts to end the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta and allied matters.

Those Present at the meeting included HRM, Pere Dr. Charles Ayemi-Botu (OFR), paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, HRM King I. Timiyan (JP), Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chief Wellington Okrika, representing Gbaramatu Kingdom.

According to them, Clark, being an Ijaw man, is their subject and cannot dictate to them.

Read also: Army kills 5 militants, arrests 23 others in Rivers

Speaking after the meeting, Timiyan said: “It was careless of Chief Clark to say that leaders, who went to Abuja, got no mandate from him. As traditional rulers and custodians of the tradition of our people, if anything befalls our people and not in line with peace, we have to be seen as doing things to take care of their interest.

“Therefore, we have every right to interface with whoever in the land to bring about the desired peace. When there are attacks and bombings, our people are affected. We need to be seen as proactive. We started meeting in different forms, went to Bayelsa, Uyo, came to Delta and have been to Abuja, all in trying to bring succour for our people.

“As traditional rulers, we are not liable to the whims and caprices of Chief E.K Clark. He is our subject and when he calls meetings and we leave our palaces and go to his place, it is an honour that we have done to him but it appears he has taken that for granted; therefore, that honour is hereby withdrawn.”

Explaining the motive behind their Abuja trip, the monarchs said the parley with Kachukwu and all other actions were taken in line with the progress so far made in their desire to mutually resolve the ongoing crisis with the federal government.

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