Alhaji Musa Saidu, an Arewa leader in the South, has criticized the northern group, Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence, for accusing Chief Edwin Clark of being involved in fueling the crisis in Rivers State, as reported by Vanguard.
Saidu dismissed the group as non-existent, stating that Clark is a highly respected and patriotic nationalist who played a significant role in the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) alongside Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye.
Saidu expressed shock at the group’s claims, which were published in a national newspaper. He noted that the group’s members ensured their names were not included in the publication, as they are allegedly a faceless body sponsored by politicians attempting to tarnish Clark’s reputation.
He emphasized that Clark has always been known for standing on the side of truth and has been a friend to the northern region.
Saidu further described the group as faceless and sponsored to hurl insults, stating that they attacked the wrong person in Clark, who has contributed greatly to the unity of Nigeria.
He mentioned his personal relationship with Clark, having worked closely with him and Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye in the fight for the creation of the NDDC through the South-South People’s Conference (SSPC).
He questioned the existence of the Arewa Youths Initiative, the group that criticized Clark, stating that their statement had no names attached and there is no registered organization by that name.
Saidu, as the leader of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Coexistence in Southern Nigeria, reiterated that Clark has always fought for justice and unity across all regions. He also reminded the public of the historical alliance between the Arewa Consultative Forum and the South-South People’s Conference in 2000, which Clark was a part of.
In addition, Saidu criticized former local government council chairman in Rivers State, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, for attacking Clark over his call for the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly making inflammatory comments on the political crisis in Rivers State.
“We condemn Chidi Lloyd for attacking Chief Clark . Chief Clark is a nationalist and has been Minister of the country. This attack on Chief Clark, I will not take it, I must condemn it. The whole Arewa condemn chidi Lloyd over his careless comment on Chief Clark. If they are fighting Clark because of Wike they made a mistake because he ( Chief Clark) is a man of truth, a respected nationalist and a man of peace,” he said….V¡ew__Morê