….Says Enough of Unending distractions.
By Attah Ede
Elder statesman and foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, on Monday, acknowledged the contributions and efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State towards the peaceful conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State held on Saturday, October 5th, 2024.
He expressed satisfaction with the large voter turnout, noting that the successful elections demonstrated the maturity and patriotism of Rivers citizens and Nigerians as a whole.
According to him, despite a deliberate boycott of police participation in the election,the outcome spell unity, stressing that it showcased the state’s ability to manage its affairs without external interference.
The Former Federal Commissioner for Information and leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja, emphasized the importance of unity among the people of Rivers State.
He urged them to work together to ensure lasting peace and development in the region, stating that it is time to end the cycle of troubles and distractions.
Chief Clark noted the significance of conducting a statewide local government election without police involvement, a first in Nigeria’s electoral history, where security agencies are typically engaged with considerable funding allocated for their deployment.
“The fact that a statewide local government election can be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner without the loss of lives and destruction of property is a remarkable experience.
“How do we reconcile this with the recent governorship election in a neighboring Edo State, where over 40,000 officers and men of the Nigerian police force were deployed, at a huge cost to the government, followed by complaints and contestations at different levels?
“I suggest that the Federal Government, and indeed, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should thoroughly examine this development with a view to finding ways to reduce the high electoral expenditures in the country.
“In a very special way, my hearty congratulations go to all the newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors of the respective Local Government Councils in Rivers State for their success in the polls. This is an affirmation of the confidence that the people of Rivers State in the various communities have in them.
“I want to thank His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for creating the atmosphere for the conduct of credible elections and for the excellent arrangements that were made.
” At the same time, I also thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, for ensuring that the various security agencies exercised due restraint which aided the successful outcome of the polls.
“To the delight of all patriotic Nigerians, this has brought great relief, despite the attempts by unpatriotic elements who did all within their powers to frustrate the democratic process. Regrettably, some unscrupulous elements of respected national institutions such as the Nigerian Police almost fell to their unwholesome and undemocratic plot.
“I thank Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for creating a conducive environment for credible elections and lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that security agencies maintained restraint, contributing to the successful outcome of the polls.
“I urge the citizens of Rivers State to come together in the spirit of peace and development, emphasizing that the recent elections provides an opportunity to move beyond past political crises, which he characterized as a battle between good and evil rather than an ethnic issue.
“At my age, nearing 98 years, I will continue to fight for the consolidation of democracy in our country and hope that this peaceful conduct of elections as exemplified in Rivers State on 5th October 2024, will be replicated in all the states of the federation, with minimal security involvement, devoid of unnecessary intrigues and interference. “May God bless Nigeria always,” Clark concluded.
