2011: Fresh row over Jonathan’s ambition
Ciroma A former Minister of Information Chief Edwin Clark yesterday condemned a Co-Convener of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) Mallam Adamu Ciroma for mobilising the North against President Goodluck Jonathan.
He also described Ciroma as a political lightweight whose influence is no threat to President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition.
Clark asked Nigerians to give Jonathan a chance in 2011 as he would only spend a single term of four years in office.
Clark, who made his views known in an open letter to Ciroma in Abuja , said the utterances of the ex-Minister of Finance were capable of causing the disintegration of the country.
He asked the NPLF to drop its selfish agitations for the emergence of a Northerner as President in 2011.
Ciroma and members of the NPLF are currently consulting and mobilising key Northerners on the need for the presentation of a consensus candidate in 2011 against Jonathan.
But Clark described Ciroma and other leaders’ shuttle as “unwarranted, purposeless and selfish.”
He said: “From all that I have said, it is apparent that you cannot really claim that you are fighting for the Northern interest. You are rather using Northern sentiments to create a problem as you did in the past when you were a leader of the Kaduna Mafia
“My dear friend, I appeal to you to place Nigeria first and not to promote your personal interests, at the expense of a strong, united country in which all sections or political zones are treated equally.
“What decent and true patriotic Nigerians are asking for is a single term of four years for Jonathan in order to complete the eight-year term of the joint ticket of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and himself.
He pleaded with Ciroma to have a rethink and drop his ethnic agitations.
Clark added: “I plead with you again as I have done in the recent past, both at your residence and at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja to drop these unwarranted, purposeless and selfish agitations and participate in the building of a new progressive, all-inclusive Nigeria.
“Finally, I repeat, I sincerely appeal to you as an Elder statesman to join hands with other Nigerians to build a strong and united Nigeria free from political, religious and tribal discrimination.”
The ex-Minister said the Southsouth is still ready for discussion and negotiation with the North on 2011 poll.
He said: “The South-South Elders, who met with your group at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre on Thursday 16th September, 2010 are still ready to discuss with you in the interest of unity and stability of our great country.”
Notwithstanding, Clark said he is seeking rapprochement with Ciroma as a matter of courtesy and in the interest of the country because Ciroma is a “political lightweight.”
Clark reminded Ciroma that he had not added value to the electoral fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.
He added: “I want to also remind you, my dear friend, that in 1999 when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo became the President, the whole of North-West except Kano and Kaduna States voted against the PDP.
“Also recall that Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states voted for ANPP, while your own North-East zone including Yobe State and your own town, Potiskum, voted for the opposition ANPP like Borno State.
“It was the South-South, the Middle Belt and the South-East that voted for PDP. Yet, you were appointed Minister of Finance without contributing to the election of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“With or without your vote, other well-meaning progressive Northerners who contributed largely to Jonathan becoming Acting President, and eventually President, will definitely vote for him.
On Ciroma’s comments on October 1 bomb explosions, Clark said: “I had always regarded you as an intelligent, mature statesman but your statement on the bomb blast exposes you as an empty, narrow-minded and self-centred bigot, with no restraint in viscous outbursts.
“Hence you could attempt to convert a major national calamity into political comedy.
Clark listed six major crises which the nation witnessed during the administrations of ex-President Shehu Shagari; ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; and ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“As an unrepentant ethnic chauvinist, you went insulting Mr. President, calling him all sorts of names in your unprincipled pretence at defending the North. I know, for a fact, that you are not the leader of the North.”
Clark said contrary to Ciroma’s call, Jonathan won’t resign.
He said: “My dear friend, I find it most difficult to believe that you callously, with disrespect called on Mr. President to resign on the phantom claim that Nigerians have lost confidence in him. Also your threat to mobilise northern legislators to impeach Mr. President if he does not resign has received more than expected ire from Nigerians. “Sadly enough, even those you thought you can persuade to commence impeachment proceedings treated your contemptuous statement with disdain. Your demonstration of ignorance of parliamentary procedure was palpable since you have never won elections in your life.
“I need to let you know that President Goodluck Jonathan does not discriminate against the North. His primary concern is delivering the dividends of democracy to all parts of the country as well as protecting the lives and properties of very citizen.
Comments