Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over an alleged threat to incite unrest in Nigerian states.
The controversy stems from comments Wike made during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress in Rivers State in August, where he reportedly said he would “put fire” in the states of governors who align with Siminalayi Fubara, the current Rivers State Governor. Wike and Fubara have been embroiled in a bitter feud, creating factions within the Rivers House of Assembly, with each side electing speakers loyal to either the minister or the governor.
In an open letter titled “Arrest Wike Now With a Warrant of Arrest,” Edwin Clark expressed deep concern over Wike’s behavior, accusing him of crossing the line with his “macabre dance” and stating that no one, including Wike, is above the law.
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“As we lawyers say, nobody is above the law, and the law must take its course,” Clark wrote. “If you could arrest Omoyele Sowore for less threatening statements, and if you’re prosecuting those who participated in the #EndSARS protests, what’s stopping you from taking action in this case of Wike?”
Clark, now 97 years old, reflected on his time in public service under Gen. Yakubu Gowon, saying public officers were expected to uphold the highest code of conduct, especially in maintaining public order. He criticized Wike’s attempts to undermine Fubara’s government, accusing him of trying to install former Rivers State House Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, as the next governor.
The elder statesman warned that Wike should not be allowed to bend the rules of the PDP for his personal feud with Fubara, who remains the party’s leader in Rivers State.
