The once rosy relationship between Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark and his ‘adopted godson’, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is assuming a worse dimension as both are said not to be on talking terms reports LEKAN OKEOWO
At the height of their friendship, they were inseparable, with Chief Edwin Clark calling former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, his ‘adopted political god-son’. Where it all began to go wrong is still a subject of debate.
The trouble could probably be traced to when Clark disclosed that he was quitting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and partisan politics, adding that his adopted godson lacked the will to fight corruption.
“Jonathan meant well for this country, but the will power to fight corruption was not there,” adding, “being a gentleman is not enough to govern this country.”
Clark reiterated his support for Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, urging Nigerians to stop alleging about sectional or selective justice.
“It is not everything done by the opponent that is wrong. I will therefore support the policies that are for the good of the country because Nigeria belongs to all of us.
“We are all to support him, particularly in his determination to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. For eight years, Obasanjo legalised corruption. Yet, he’s the one talking about corruption. If your brother is arrested, did he give you money? If your sister was arrested for corruption, did she give you money?
“Jonathan didn’t have the political will-power to fight corruption. He’s too much a gentleman. Drivers of yesterday are living in palatial buildings now under his government. In advanced countries, when you are living above your means, people query you. That’s not so in Nigeria. Former governors and lawmakers are now asking for immunity.
“Jonathan meant well for this country, but the will power to fight corruption was not there.
“In an ideal society, when a man who earns N20,000 as his monthly salary and all of a sudden he acquires something that is worth N100,000, he should be questioned, but here in Nigeria, immunity has covered those that should be questioned.”
While Jonathan was still in power, Edwin Clark had gone as far as insulting, threatening to deal with every “Okeke, Okafor, Okorie and Okonkwo” in this country if Jonathan was not allowed to continue in office.
”Any person fighting Jonathan is fighting God. Whatever God said you will be that is what you will be and whoever want to remove him (Jonathan)
God will fight him. Under the grace of God Jonathan became the acting President and later President. What is yours nobody can take it from you.
“Some people said that they must rule and if Jonathan run there will be bloodshed. Majority of the Northerners believe in Jonathan and wants him to continue. Whoever want to split this country will fail.
Clark also made it clear to every “Shehu, Mohammed, Ibrahim and Adamu” that there was no corruption in the government of President Jonathan.
Jonathan in return, was reported to have deployed over 20 armed security agents to protect Chief Edwin Clark over his call for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
These security personnel include soldiers, mobile policemen, and civil defence agents, all armed to the teeth.
Clark was also reported to have gotten numerous contracts from his god-son while the relationship lasted. He has however released a letter refuting the claim: “With all modesty, I am at this age contented. I state publicly therefore, that I never sought nor obtained any contract, oil block, oil lifting allocation or financial gratification from the ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, during his (Jonathan) years of administration.
“It is, therefore, ludicrous and totally ill-motived for these wicked and mischievous persons to sell to the public that my decision portends a plan to seek any special favours from President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, or to protect those gains which I acquired from Jonathan’s government, which never existed.
A very reliable source squealed to the The New Diplomat that the duo no longer pick each other’s calls as Jonathan has sworn never to have anything to do with Chief Edwin Clark.
It is hoped that in the interest of the Niger-Delta where both are key players, they will sheath their swords and reconcile.
