Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark on Thursday called for the immediate arrest of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike over his recent threat to put fire in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP controlled states.
Wike was quoted to have said he would put fire in the PDP states for the governors’ backing of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The FCT Minister and his political son, Fubara are at loggerheads, which has defiled political solution proffered by President Bola Tinubu.
Clark in an open letter to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun said the Minister’s utterance is an incitement of the people against constituted authorities which is treasonable.
He said Wike has in so many ways breached the constitution that requires his arrest and prosecution
He stressed that the IGP must take action now to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
In a press conference on Thursday, Clark said the words of the Minister marked a “flagrant disrespect to the person of President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him”, describing his comments as “unbridled”, and added that his comments were a form of treason as it was capable of inciting violence in the country.
He said: That is with respect to the recent open threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who happens to be the former Governor of Rivers State to “SET FIRE” in some other States.
“Even more serious is the fact that this is a violation of the laws of the country as it stands now. Wike as a lawyer should have known better. As one who has been in this same profession for more than 60 years, and as an elder statesman, I know that one of the greatest offenses that can be committed is to incite anarchy and threaten constituted authority of the state, as it is a sure means of inciting and causing unfavourable response in those States especially amongst the youths against the government in power either at federal or state level. As a matter of fact, what Wike has done is a form of treason as he is inciting his supporters and those in the other State to rise up against constituted authority.
“Let me also remind you that the laws of this country, especially the Public Officer Protection Act (1957), provides protection for public officers from harm, intimidation and violence. Furthermore, Assault on Public Officers (Prohibition Act of 1985), again details clear penalties for those who directly threaten public officers. Also, the Violence Against Persons (Protection Act 2015) shuns violence, including physical harm or as in instant case, “putting fire against public officers”. Not the least is the Police Act of 2020 which mandates your force to protect public officers, maintain law and prevent crime all over the country. ”
He further added, “I’ve done my homework, I’m about 60 years at the bar, even though I’m not a SAN because I was doing Government jobs.
” There are various laws of this country Wike has breached.
“I’ve even got some senior lawyers to help me, who have now discovered that Wike has breached a number of Nigerian laws, public laws, and so on, has committed crimes.
“And for him to say that he will put fire in states belonging to PDP governors and so on, it’s treason, it’s treasonable. All of that totality, Wike has committed treason.”
He pointed out that the Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, was arrested for a similar offence
He added “But here is a serving minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria saying that he will bomb the states of his colleagues, he will bomb their hands and they won’t sleep again in their houses, he will do everything to disorganize the government of those states. Nobody, no governor, no minister can go to that extent. It’s a breach of the Constitution.
“So, he has committed a series of offenses. He will come out after some time, If Peking was making my man not sleep, he’s not going to sleep.”
Clark who stressed that he is no longer active in politics, however said he will continue to talk when there is perceived injustice anywhere in the country.
“But I said in that meeting, that anything affecting the interest of Nigeria, I will fight, whether I’m inside the party or not. So, what I’m saying today, is outside party politics, ad it affects the people of Rivers State, affects the people of Nigeria.
And while I’m still alive, I must make my contribution to stop it. Because I fear only God, no human being. I respect people.
“This is our government. Whether we elected him or not. And therefore we must support.
“In supporting, we must be listening too. When in Nigeria, nobody is a first class citizen and nobody is a second class citizen. So at my 97, I’m going to 98.
I’ll continue to talk. “
