Elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently implement the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference, which was convened by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to address pressing national issues.
Clark’s call comes in response to a suggestion by The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, for the President to convene another national conference to draft a new constitution.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he received a 10-man delegation of Igbo leaders, led by former Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Chief Simon Okeke, at his Asokoro residence, Clark emphasized that implementing the 2014 Conference report would help unite the country. He warned President Tinubu against making appointments based on ethnicity, cautioning that such actions could lead to dangerous divisions.
Chief Clark, who also leads the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said, “If President Bola Tinubu implements the 2014 National Conference Report immediately, it will help to reunite the Igbos, bringing them back to the prominent position they held before the civil war.”
He also encouraged the Igbos to work together to achieve their goals, stating, “While it is courteous to appreciate actions done on behalf of the people, doing so with a slave-like mentality is tantamount to adulation.”
Clark praised past Igbo leaders like Jaja Wachuku, a Pan-Africanist and Nigeria’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs, for their significant contributions to the country. He expressed concern that some Igbos might be overly praising recent appointments, arguing that Igbos appointed to national positions should see themselves as equally qualified as any other Nigerian and should not be subservient.
During the visit, Clark expressed his sincere condolences on the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, the late President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, describing the loss as significant not just for the Igbos, but for all Southern and Middle Belt Nigerians.
Clark also thanked the delegation for visiting to celebrate his 97th birthday, which took place about two months ago.
Chief Okeke, the leader of the Igbo delegation, praised Clark for his consistent advocacy against discrimination and injustices faced by the Igbos in Nigeria. He expressed the hope that God would continue to bless Clark with good health, enabling him to continue speaking out against oppression and marginalization.
Other members of the delegation included Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education and Health; Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, former Minister of Finance, National Planning, and Transportation; and other distinguished leaders.
