Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Northern Elders, IYC Condemn Invasion of Clark's Abuja Home By Armed Security Operatives

Ethnic nationalities in Nigeria have unanimously condemned the invasion of the Abuja home of the former Federal Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, by security operatives.

Heavily armed men of the Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday invaded Clark’s house in Asokoro, Abuja, on allegation of intelligence reports that the residence is housing a stockpile of arms by militants.

The policemen however left after searching without finding any arms or anything incriminating.

However, in a joint statement signed by the spokespersons of these nationalities-Yinka Odumakin, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, Junaid Mohammed, Isuwa Dogo and Senator Bassey Henshaw-under the aegis of the Nigerian Leaders and Elders Forum and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) described the invasion as an act of sheer intimidation.

In the statement, the forum said the raid was a sad reminder of the era of dictatorship in 1984 when the home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was ransacked in Ikenne, Ogun State, by soldiers and officials of the National Security Organisation (NSO) “whose conduct has only been rivaled by the DSS under the recently sacked Lawal Daura.

According to the statement, “The Nigerian Leaders and Elders Forum is shocked by the gestapo-like raid on the  Abuja home of Chief EK Clark by men of the Nigerian Police on the spurious allegation  that there were arms and ammunition stockpiled in the house.

“At the end of the shameful invasion of the home of the former minister in the worst signal of Nigeria becoming a police state, the police could not find more than a kitchen knife regularly used to slice tomato and onion.

“We view the provocative search as not arising from any intelligence report, but a sheer act of intimidation on  a home that has served as meeting point for patriots across Nigeria, who are engaged in peaceful consultations to save Nigeria from the edge of the precipice.

“The raid is a sad reminder of the era of full blown dictatorship in 1984 when the home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was ransacked in Ikenne by soldiers and officials of the dreaded NSO whose conduct has only been rivaled by the Daura-led DSS.”

The forum further described the traumatisation of Clark as another proof “that mad power has taken over the polity and its full blown desperation now at the boundaries of decency collapse.”

They however demanded an immediate apology to Chief Clark by the Nigerian Police, saying: “Its (police) leadership at the moment has shown serial unprofessionalism and dark age policing.

“We want to sound it loud and clear to the administration that if the object of this intimidation is to send fear signals to patriots who are demanding better leadership for our country, it has backfired. We all counted the cost before we chose to stand up for the country.”

While also condemning the invasion, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC)  stated that the country might be descending into full-blown anarchy.

IYC President, Mr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi, in a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State, urged relevant stakeholders to rise in defence of democracy.

The statement read: “Nigeria is gradually descending into a full-blown anarchy. This is dangerous for our democracy. Nigeria is heading to the cliff. Relevant stakeholders need to rise in defence of our hard earned democracy. There can be no democracy where there is no dissenting voice. President Muhammadu Buhari should accept that our democracy cannot exist without opposition elements to his government.”

Similarly, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, condemned in totality the actions and assault on its leader, who has contributed to the development of Nigeria in several ways, including restoring the most required peace in the Niger Delta region. It further called on the presidency to call the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, to order forthwith.

However, when  contacted the phone line of the octogenarian, the call was answered by someone who simply identified himself as his personal assistant, and he confirmed the raid. He said Clark was resting after the ordeal and could not speak to anyone.