The highly respected leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the president’s approach to governance is influenced more by personal and ethnic sentiments than by objective, inclusive policies.
During his remarks, Chief Clark expressed his deep concern that President Tinubu's method of ruling based on these personal biases could further polarize the country, heightening existing ethnic and religious divisions that already pose significant challenges to national unity.
Chief Clark called for a more inclusive and balanced leadership style, emphasizing that it is critical for the president to adopt a fair approach in his decision-making to foster national cohesion. He urged Tinubu to govern without favoring any specific ethnic group, stating that inclusivity should be a priority.
In a comparison, Chief Clark drew parallels between President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, suggesting that Tinubu’s leadership appears to mirror a similar ethnic bias that was often attributed to Buhari’s administration. He remarked that, just as Buhari was frequently criticized for favoring specific ethnic groups, President Tinubu seems to exhibit what he described as a “significant level of ethnic sentiment.”
Furthermore, Chief Clark voiced his disapproval of the Federal Government’s decision to dismantle the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs. He mentioned that while the development did not entirely surprise him, he firmly believes that the people of the Niger Delta have not suffered a considerable loss as a result.
Clark delivered these comments via a phone call during the Special General Assembly of the Pan Niger Delta Forum. Themed “Fostering Peace and Unity for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta Region,” the event was held in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
In his address, Chief Clark highlighted ongoing issues of inequality and marginalization in Nigeria. He pointed out that despite repeated calls for fairness, Nigeria remains divided along ethnic and religious lines, with smaller, less privileged groups often left behind.
He stated: “Nigeria is deeply divided across ethnic and religious lines, burdened with poverty, insecurity, and a lack of equitable resources. Today, we have lost the middle class; the wealthy have absorbed the nation’s wealth, while the masses struggle.”
“Our oil resources are seized, leaving us without benefits. For someone like me, it was once necessary to travel to Daura, the hometown of former President Muhammadu Buhari, just to address oil industry issues through him.”
He continued, “It’s a sad state for a country where mutual respect is absent, and these inequalities persist.”
Chief Clark also lamented various challenges facing Nigeria, including insecurity and food shortages. He recounted how insurgent groups like Boko Haram were allegedly introduced to destabilize the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Herdsmen and Boko Haram entered the scene, and some of their leaders even admitted that Boko Haram was initially meant to intimidate Jonathan’s administration. Fortunately, Jonathan managed to drive them away before leaving office,” he noted.
“Nigeria’s problems are multifaceted. We are a country rich in resources yet facing hunger and scarcity.”
The Federal Government, however, countered reports of the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs being scrapped, clarifying instead that it had been expanded. According to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the ministry now coordinates regional development agencies, such as the North-East and South-West Development Commissions, with a prominent Niger Delta figure overseeing it.
Senator Lokpobiri explained, “The decision was made at the federal executive council to expand—not eliminate—the Ministry of the Niger Delta. It now encompasses coordination of regional agencies beyond the NDDC, allowing for a potential South-South Development Commission in the future.”
“With this new structure, the ministry can unify all regional development under the leadership of someone from the Niger Delta. This approach ensures that the South-South region stands to gain rather than lose,” he emphasized.