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Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has lauded President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the peaceful conduct of the local government elections held over the weekend. In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, Clark underscored the need for unity in Rivers State, urging citizens to prioritize peace and development over conflict and distractions.
Clark expressed satisfaction with the high voter turnout and the maturity demonstrated by Rivers citizens, commending them for their patriotism. He noted that despite a reported boycott of police involvement, the elections were successful, highlighting the community’s capability to conduct its affairs independently. This, he said, marked a historic moment as it was the first time a statewide local government election in Nigeria was held without police presence, a significant departure from the usual heavy security deployments.
“The fact that a statewide local government election can be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner without the loss of lives and destruction of property is a remarkable experience,” Clark remarked. He contrasted the peaceful elections in Rivers State with the recent governorship election in Edo State, where over 40,000 police officers were deployed, leading to complaints and contestations.
Clark called on the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider the Rivers elections as a model for reducing the high costs associated with elections in Nigeria, while congratulating the newly elected chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councilors. He praised Governor Fubara and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for fostering a conducive environment for credible polls, and commended President Tinubu for ensuring that security agencies exercised restraint during the elections.
As the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Clark urged Rivers citizens to seize the opportunity presented by the peaceful elections to move beyond past political crises. He characterized these crises as a battle between good and evil, rather than ethnic disputes, and called for a unified push towards peace and development.
Approaching his 98th birthday, Clark reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for democracy in Nigeria, hoping that the Rivers State elections would serve as a model for other states. He concluded by offering a prayer for Nigeria’s continued peace and progress.
