Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has raised alarm over what he described as an inflammatory threat made by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.
Clark, addressed his concerns to the Inspector General of Police, urging immediate action to safeguard national peace and stability.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Wike during a PDP congress held in Port Harcourt on August 31, 2024, despite a court ruling barring the congress.
Wike allegedly threatened to cause unrest in several states led by PDP governors who supported Siminalayi Fubara, the current Rivers State governor. “I will put fire in their states,” Wike reportedly said, drawing widespread criticism from political leaders across the country.
Clark, in his letter, reminded the Inspector General of Police of his constitutional duty to uphold law and order without partiality.
He emphasised that Wike’s threats not only posed a danger to public peace but amounted to incitement, a serious crime under Nigerian law.
Citing several legal provisions, including the Public Officer Protection Act and the Violence Against Persons Protection Act, Clark called for Wike’s immediate arrest and prosecution.
The elder statesman expressed disappointment that a serving minister under President Bola Tinubu could make such inflammatory statements.
“It is a flagrant disrespect on the person of President Tinubu and a threat to public peace,” Clark wrote, questioning Wike’s moral authority and demanding accountability for his actions.
Clark also criticized Wike’s alleged accumulation of wealth during his time in office as governor of Rivers State, questioning the sources of his wealth and accusing him of using state resources for personal gain.
He called for a thorough investigation into Wike’s finances and property acquisitions, particularly in Rivers State and Abuja.
In his closing remarks, Clark urged PDP leaders and Nigerians who value justice and peace to stand united against Wike’s “inordinate ambition” to control the political structure of Rivers State.
He called on all concerned parties to uphold the party’s constitution and use all constitutional means to resist any unlawful actions by the minister.
