Arewa Leader in the South, Alhaji Musa Saidu, has condemned a northern group, Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence, for alleging that Chief Edwin Clark was fueling crisis in Rivers state. Saidu described the group as non-existent and faceless, sponsored by politicians to drag Chief Clark’s revered name into the ugly politics in Rivers state.
“It’s a faceless sponsored group used to hurl insults. They don’t know that they attacked the wrong person this time. Chief Clark is a man who has contributed to the unity of this country,” Saidu said.
Saidu praised Chief Clark as a respected and patriotic nationalist who fought alongside Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye for the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He expressed shock at the group’s allegations, noting that Chief Clark has a reputation for being on the side of truth and is a dear friend of the north.
“Chief Clark fights for everybody. As somebody close to him, I was Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye’s aide and Chief Clark was his deputy, so I know him very well. Chief Clark worked with Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye to fight for the creation of NDDC. If he tells NDDC what to do, he has the right to do so,” Saidu said.
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Saidu challenged the group to reveal their leaders and registration, as they claimed to be a non-existent entity. “The body doesn’t exist, that’s why they wrote a press statement without any name. Who and who are the leaders of the body? Certainly, they don’t have any. They are not registered. I am one of those who registered the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Coexistence. If they exist, let them come out.”
Saidu also condemned a former local government council chairman in Rivers state, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, for attacking Chief Clark over his call for the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his alleged incisive comments on the political crisis in Rivers state.
“We condemn Chidi Lloyd for attacking Chief Clark. Chief Clark is a nationalist and has been Minister of the country. This attack on Chief Clark, I will not take it, I must condemn it. The whole Arewa condemns Chidi Lloyd over his careless comment on Chief Clark. If they are fighting Clark because of Wike, they made a mistake because he (Chief Clark) is a man of truth, a respected nationalist, and a man of peace.”