Edwin Clark calls for Wike’s arrest over ‘Fire in States’ threat

Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to arrest Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, over recent incendiary remarks attributed to him.

In August, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress in Rivers State, Wike threatened to “put fire” in the states of governors supporting Siminalayi Fubara, the incumbent governor.

This remark has intensified the ongoing conflict between Wike and Fubara, leading to a schism within the Rivers State House of Assembly, where each faction has elected a speaker aligned with either the minister or the governor.

In an open letter titled ‘Arrest Wike Now With a Warrant of Arrest,’ Clark condemned Wike’s statement as excessive. “As we lawyers say, nobody is above the law and the law must take its course,” he wrote.

READ ALSO: PDP summons Wike to disciplinary committee over alleged anti-party activities

He referenced previous actions taken by the police, noting, “If you could in the past arrest Omoyele Sowore for similar or less implicating threats against public peace and public officials, if you are right now leading prosecution in law courts against people who participated in ‘End Bad Governance’ protest, what are you waiting to act in this case of Wike?”

Clark, now over 97 years old and with extensive experience in government, expressed disbelief that a public official appointed by the current president could engage in such behavior. He recalled the high standards of conduct during his service under Gen. Yakubu Gowon and criticized Wike’s efforts to undermine Fubara’s administration and install former Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule as governor.

Clark concluded that Wike should not be permitted to unilaterally alter party rules due to his personal conflict with Fubara, the PDP leader in Rivers.

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