Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed unyielding fury at Chief Edwin Clark’s recent call for the expulsion of Abia, Imo, and Ondo from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to Ohanaeze, Chief Clark’s exclusionary stance and suggestions are nothing short of “parochial barbarism, satanic, and detrimental to national cohesion and unity”.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated this on Wednesday through its Secretary General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
According to Isiguzoro who urged the President to ignore, reject the exclusionary stance the leader of (PANDEF) Chief Clark made, described Clark’s statement as “unhealthy”.
“In a response to the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated unequivocally that President Bola Tinubu should overlook and sweep Edwin Clark’s unhealthy vituperation into the dustbin of history. Ohanaeze Ndigbo vehemently condemns Chief Clark’s promotion of ethnic bigotry, which has no place in our diverse and multicultural society.
“Rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric and exclusionary tactics, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expected Chief Edwin Clark to advocate for the gazetting of former President Buhari’s recognition of the Old Anambra River Basins as oil-producing states. This recognition includes Anambra, Enugu, and Kogi States, which should be incorporated into the NDDC. By ignoring this crucial aspect, Chief Clark has displayed a blatant disregard for fairness and equity.
“Furthermore, considering the economic hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly condemns Chief Clark’s views. We find his comments deeply disappointing and unacceptable, as they do not reflect the position of the Niger Delta region as a whole. Ethnic bigotry has no place in our nation’s discourse, and leaders like Chief Clark must work towards fostering unity and inclusivity rather than sowing seeds of division.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above Chief Clark’s divisive rhetoric and reject his exclusionary stance. We call on President Tinubu to uphold the principles of fairness and equality by incorporating the Old Anambra River Basins into the NDDC. This step would not only rectify the historical injustices suffered by the Igbo people but also promote national integration, development, and unity.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains committed to the pursuit of a united and prosperous Nigeria, where every ethnic group is accorded equal rights and opportunities. We will continue to advocate for the fair treatment of all regions and work towards a future characterised by harmony, understanding, and shared prosperity”.
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