Rivers crisis: Clark calls for Wike’s arrest over inciting comment to set PDP-governed states on fire
…Says Wike’s action, a threat to national security
…Tells IGP to act, protect public officers
By Babatunde Opoola, Abuja
A prominent leader of the South South region, Chief Edwin Clark has called for the arrest of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Nyesome Wike over the statement to cause intra party crisis in some states.
Clark in statement issued during a press conference in his Abuja residence on Thursday, urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun to promptly arrest the former Rivers State governor over his threat to sponsor intra party crisis in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, states where their governors support the transfer of the Rivers State PDP party’s structure to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
It would be recalled that Wike made the threat while addressing party members loyal to him in Port Harcourt during the party’s Congress.
In his open letter to IGP, while addressing journalists, Edwin said that Wike’s comment is a flagrant disrespect on the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed him, and a threat to public peace.
He said, “My dear IG, I am well over 97 years of age, and having held various positions in government including being a Minister over 50 years ago, I am shocked that a public officer who is an appointee of a serving President can descend to this level.
“It may seem light to some, but to imagine that these words came out from a serving Minister, is most unbecoming and indeed a flagrant disrespect on the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who appointed him, and a threat to public peace.
“Even more serious is the fact that this is a violation of the laws of the country as it stands now. Wike as a lawyer should have known better. As one who has been in this same profession for more than 60 years, and as an elder statesman, I know that one of the greatest offences that can be committed is to incite anarchy and threaten constituted authority of the state, as it is a sure means of inciting and causing unfavourable response in those States especially amongst the youths against the government in power either at federal or state level.
“As a matter of fact, what Wike has done is a form of treason as he is inciting his supporters and those in the other State to rise up against constituted authority.”
In his letter to the IGP, Clark further said, “Let me also remind you that the laws of this country, especially the Public Officer Protection Act (1957), provides protection for public officers from harm, intimidation and violence. Furthermore, Assault on Public Officers (Prohibition Act of 1985), again details clear penalties for those who directly threaten public officers.
“Also, the Violence Against Persons (Protection Act 2015) shuns violence, including physical harm or as in instant case, ‘putting fire against public officers’. Not the least is the Police Act of 2020 which mandates your force to protect public officers, maintain law and prevent crime all over the country.
“What all these shows is the fact that this particular Minister, Wike, has gone overboard in his macabre dance. As we lawyers say, nobody is above the law and the law must take its course. If you could in the past arrest Omowole 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?
“Remember that you are under oath to uphold the law, as the serving inspector-General of Police, including the fact that you will not be partial. I am sure your PhD degree in Peace and Security Studies at Al-Hikma University in Kwara State which you earned and defended has also taught you clearly that no citizen of the country has the right to threaten the peace of the country and be treated with kid gloves.”
