A pressure group, Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his Friday’s condolence visit to the family of late Chief Edwin Clark in Abuja.
The group claimed that Atiku’s choice of going on the visit with the immediate-past Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was disgraceful and a calculated move that has left Nigerians stunned.
A statement signed by National Coordinator of TAN, Comrade Michael Briggs, on Saturday, said former Vice President Atiku during the condolence visit to the family of late Edwin Clark, employed El-Rufai as a ‘pawn’ to desecrate the memory of the late Niger Delta leader.
“What was meant to be a solemn condolence visit to the grieving Clark family turned into a shameless political charade, that can only be described as a brazen act of disrespect to the dead and a slap in the face of the grieving family.
“Chief Edwin Clark, a titan of the Niger Delta and a relentless advocate for justice, equity, and the development of Nigeria, passed away on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and firmed commitment to the nation. His death was a moment for reflection, unity, and reverence – a time to honour a man who dedicated his life to fighting for the marginalised and speaking truth to power. Yet, in a move that reeks of moral bankruptcy, Atiku and El-Rufai chose to exploit this sacred moment for their own political gain.
“El-Rufai, known for his penchant for controversy, took the center stage during the visit, turning the solemn atmosphere into a platform to tout Atiku’s alleged achievements. With callous disregard for the grieving family, he launched into a tirade about how Atiku was the brain behind several policies of the Obasanjo administration, a claim that not only reeks of desperation but also insults the intelligence of Nigerians who are well aware of the complexities of that era,” the ground lamented.
