2014 CONFAB: Clark Writes Tinubu, Advocates for Igbo People’s Rights

Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, has penned a letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging swift action on the 2014 National Conference report’s implementation.

In his message, Clark stressed the critical need for immediate restructuring to integrate marginalized Igbos into Nigeria’s mainstream.

Addressing President Tinubu on June 13, 2024, Chief Clark, the leader of Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), called for political solutions, emphasizing the release of Nnamdi Kanu and fair treatment akin to the withdrawal of charges against Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore’s Bello Bodejo.

He reiterated the necessity of immediate restructuring to maintain Nigeria’s unity, drawing attention to the country’s historical regional dynamics and stressing equal rights for all citizens. Chief Clark expressed concern over the nation’s security challenges and called for unity among ethnic groups.

Clark emphasized the importance of fair representation, pointing out disparities in appointments and resource allocation, especially regarding the Igbo community. Chief Clark urged collaborative efforts to address longstanding inequalities and promote unity across Nigeria.

• “Now that the elections are over, we must face the restructuring of this country.”
• “The immediate restructuring of Nigeria must be carried out if this country is to remain one.”
• “The Igbos of South-East or wherever they are in Nigeria, must stand up and assert their rights legitimately, judiciously and in a democratic way.”
• “Since 1975 after the civil war, the country has not been united.”
• “The Nigeria I knew, that I was born in, was sitting on a 3 legged pot.”
• “We must demonstrate reciprocal respect, love, and understanding to one another.”
• “THE IGBOS SHOULD RISE AND LEGITIMATELY FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE NO OTHER NIGERIAN IS SUPERIOR TO THEM.”
• “Nigeria has been independent for about 64 years now but before then Nigeria became self-governing in 1957.”
• “We can no longer describe Nigeria as a pot anymore because we now have 36 legs and if any part of these 36 legs gets broken, the country won’t be at ease.”
• “I have said that Nigeria must be restructured to correct what I described as the imbalances and make every state equal in the country.”
• “Looking back again at Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the father of modern politics in Nigeria, who was an Igbo man from Onitsha and leader of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).”
• “At this juncture, it may also be necessary to mention a few of other Igbo politicians including but not withstanding Dr Nwafor Orizu, who was the President of the Senate, Dr K.O. Mbadiwe, who was central minister of land, survey and natural resources (1954-1955), Chief A.C. Nwapa, minister of commerce, Prof Eni Njoku, central minister of energy and first Nigerian Vice Chancellor University of Lagos in 1962, Raymond Njoku, central minister of transportation, Chief Jaja Wachuku, one of the best foreign ministers of Nigeria who performed excellently well on the independence day of 1st October 1960, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Minister of Aviation, Mbonu Ojike, who was known as the ‘boycott king’ for his slogan ‘boycott the boycottable’, Professor Kenneth Dike, Nigeria’s first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Dr Aja Nwachukwu, from Okposi in Ebonyi State, who was Minister for Education.”
• “One of the setbacks for the Igbo’s, was the continuous military rule between 1966 and 1999, where all the Military Heads of state came from the North, who had the opportunity to impose their will and desire on other parts of the country.”
• “Even though, I have made my observation about the action of some of my fellow igbo brothers, I have always had confidence that the Igbo’s fought for a course, during the civil war for a period of three (3) years.”
• “The appointment of one of my beloved sons, Engr Sen David Umahi, a competent Engineer and builder as Minister of Works, cannot be a credit or favour done to the Minister or Igbos by President Tinubu.”
• “President Buhari did everything to subjugate the Igbos for reasons best known to him.”
• “The most recent Opportunity the Igbos had to rebuild their broken leg was when their disunity, selfishness and greed made the popular Igbo candidate, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party to loose the election because most Igbos refused to unite behind him with their resources before and during the election and voting for him massively in the South-East on the election day was like medicine after death.”