Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ijaw National Congress, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has written a protest letter, a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST in Abuja on Wednesday, alleging former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s hatred for Niger Delta region.

He blasted Obasanjo for betraying the interest of Niger Delta region for the past forty-five years, when he was the military Head of State.

Clark’s grouse was that, the former President did visit him in his residence last week, and showed no discontent about the Niger Delta and its people with regards to the struggle for resource control, only for him to lampooned and embarked on verbal outbursts, at a summit organised by the Global Peace Foundation in Abuja.

Clark, who took out time to thank Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for stopping over at his Asokoro residence on Monday, 13th December, 2021, to check on his wellbeing, added that they both engaged in discussion that bothers on national issues and those issues that were very disturbing, but wondered what went wrong within few days that made Obasanjo to descend heavily on the Niger Delta people.

He said, the discussion, though, personal to two of them, was never about Niger Delta, and neither did Obasanjo expressed any ill-feelings about Niger Delta people, before going to a summit to lash out at Niger.Delta people.

“Your Excellency will recall that a summit was organised by a group, Global Peace Foundation, on Monday, 13th December, 2021, the same day you came to visit me, to which various groups and individuals were invited, and Your Excellency happened to be one of the invitees.

“I was equally invited. But because as Your Excellency knows, I am recuperating from an ailment, and since I have been told by my doctors to take things easy, I asked His Excellency, Ambassador Godknows Igali, a retired Permanent Secretary with the Federal Civil Service, and a former Ambassador, to kindly represent me at the Summit together with Mr. O’Mac Emakpore, a retired Director with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu, the Secretary-General, Ijaw National Congress (INC).”

The leader expressed shock having watched Chief Obasanjo’s outburst in a video which he described as unbecoming of his standing in the society.

He said, Obasanjo’s outburst was a huge disappointment to those present at the meeting as his hate for the people of Niger Delta who dared to agitate for resource control was obvious, specifically, when he interjected Engr. Wodu and Mr. O’Mac Emakpore, each time they tried to put the interest of the Niger Delta in proper perspective.

According to him, he has known Chief for the past forty-six years before he became the Military Head State, who was also conversant with the perils of the region, wondering why he continued to push for maeginalisation of the region.

“Your Excellency, we have known ourselves for several decades, since 1975, when we served as Federal Commissioners (Ministers) in the cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon’s government, together with His Excellency, late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, late General Murtala Mohammed, amongst others.”

Clark recalled that the agitation for resource control has been there even when it was earlier captured in the 1960 Constitution, wondering why Obasanjo has been consistently working against the region that produces the nation’s economic mainstay.

Pointing out at section 140 of the 1960 Constitution, Chief Clerk insisted that natural resources found in regions, were controlled by the people of the regions in the country.

“As a former Military Head of State of Nigeria, 1976-1979, and later a democratically elected President of the country, 1999-2007, I am certain Your Excellency knows that the principle of derivation, has always been top on the agenda of our national discourse, before and after the country’s Independence.”

Clark said, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the the Western region and Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern region were able to develop their regions above the Eastern region
as a result of the practice of the principle of derivation.

“The Eastern Region did not progress like the other two regions. From the benefits of the practice of derivation principle, the Western Region introduced free education, built universities, the first Television in Africa, among other economic and social infrastructure, including hiring at the time, an Israeli Company, Soleh Bole, to develop roads and other infrastructure.”

He pointed out that the derivative principle continued till the discovery of oil in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in 1956 which the then Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, sent congratulatory message to the then Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

The sharing formula at the time was 50% of the revenue for the owning State, while 20% and 30% goes to the Federal government and distributable pool, for sharing among the regions, including the contributing region.

“Your Excellency, as you are very much aware, this was the situation for sharing the fiscal assets of the federation among the regions of the country until the 1966 coup that suspended the Constitution.

“The Cocoa House and the Liberty Stadium all in Ibadan, the Western House in Lagos and the Oodua group of companies, one of the biggest companies in Nigeria, are solely owned by the Western Region. One very disappointing thing that happened in the whole of this, was when the Midwest Region, to which I belonged, was created out of the Western Region, the Western Region, bluntly refused to share assets with the Midwest Region on the reason that the Midwest Region did not contribute anything to the Western Region and to its economy.”

He explained the the northern region was well coordinated in the joint ownership of assets compared to South East region, a situation that badly affected them at the time.

Chief Clark lamented that the 36 States of the Federation comes to Abuja on monthly basis to shares oil revenues to the ruins of Niger Delta region.

https://dailypost.ng/2021/12/22/resource-control-edwin-clark-tackles-obasanjo-recalls-ugly-past/

Who read everything


I still believe GEJ didn't do any tangible thing for the people of the Niger Delta.

The people of the Niger Delta gained no meaningful project under GEJ. The guy is a disaster.

See the way GMB handle the PIB matter, GEJ could have done all within his power to make sure the PIB was passed with the bill favouring the Niger Delta. Even if it means he will bribe to make sure it is pass

Some states tried to buy the DISCOS within their states so as to be in charge, the clueless man stopped the states from bidding.

He eventually sold it to incompetent people/companies with clause that will make it extremely expensive if the FG decide to cancel the contract.

Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

Matters arising.

valentineuwakwe:

The sharing formula at the time was 50% of the revenue for the owning State, while 20% and 30% goes to the Federal government and distributable pool, for sharing among the regions, including the contributing region.

“Your Excellency, as you are very much aware, this was the situation for sharing the fiscal assets of the federation among the regions of the country until the 1966 coup that suspended the Constitution.

“The Cocoa House and the Liberty Stadium all in Ibadan, the Western House in Lagos and the Oodua group of companies, one of the biggest companies in Nigeria, are solely owned by the Western Region. One very disappointing thing that happened in the whole of this, was when the Midwest Region, to which I belonged, was created out of the Western Region, the Western Region, bluntly refused to share assets with the Midwest Region on the reason that the Midwest Region did not contribute anything to the Western Region and to its economy.”

He explained the the northern region was well coordinated in the joint ownership of assets compared to South East region, a situation that badly affected them at the time.

Chief Clark lamented that the 36 States of the Federation comes to Abuja on monthly basis to shares oil revenues to the ruins of Niger Delta region.

All Nigerians are the same

Time to put all these old politicians in old peoples home. Tired of having them lead the nations affairs

It was because Obasanjo hated Niger Delta that he Supported Goodluck Jonathan into Power when the Core North was adamantly against it and wanted Turai Yaradua Sworn in as Vice President so she could easily take her Husband President Yaradua's place after he fell ill

Only a demented old man will write the bolded. Edwin Clark should be reminded that his village was in the Western Region and not the Eastern Region. If he has any grouse with the underdevelopement in his community, he should blame the appropriate Premier. Zik and Okpara for all we know did well in the Eastern region. Okpara's achievements are still standing till today. The industrial estate from P/H & Enugu are still standing. The Palm, Cocoa, Cashew & Rubber plantations in Ikwerre, Ogoja, Ohaji/Egbema, Yenagoa, Calabar, Umuahia, Okigwe, Ikom, etc are still standing. UNN and UNICAL are still standing till today.

The international trade centres in Onitsha and Aba are still standing. The independent power plant in Aba & Oji-River Enugu are still there. The Nkalagu cement and car processing plant in Emene. And a host of laudable achievements. Despite the civil war, the footprints of Zik and Okpara are still visible in the old eastern region.

The stupid propaganda spread by lazy our oyel groups is no longer attainable. Let them bring something to the table and not lazying around shouting Asawana and looking for free gifts from the eastern government all because oyel was found somewhere. Baboons in the village of Abakiliki and Ikom cannot be working their ass in farms and some group of person will want special treatment all thanks to oyel found somewhere in Oloibiri. Someone should remind me again whether it was only Oloibiri that oil and natural resources was found in the old east. Oloibiri was not even part of Ijawland then and some clown used Oloibiri as an excuse to pick up arms. Enugu despite the government using their coal, Ebonyi despite their Limestones and Port-Harcourt despite using the seaports didn't cry for special treatment.


Pointing out at section 140 of the 1960 Constitution, Chief Clerk insisted that natural resources found in regions, were controlled by the people of the regions in the country.

“As a former Military Head of State of Nigeria, 1976-1979, and later a democratically elected President of the country, 1999-2007, I am certain Your Excellency knows that the principle of derivation, has always been top on the agenda of our national discourse, before and after the country’s Independence.”

Clark said, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the the Western region and Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern region were able to develop their regions above the Eastern region
as a result of the practice of the principle of derivation.

“The Eastern Region did not progress like the other two regions. From the benefits of the practice of derivation principle, the Western Region introduced free education, built universities, the first Television in Africa, among other economic and social infrastructure, including hiring at the time, an Israeli Company, Soleh Bole, to develop roads and other infrastructure.”

He pointed out that the derivative principle continued till the discovery of oil in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in 1956 which the then Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, sent congratulatory message to the then Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

Sir Clark you should have advised gej to pushed those things in place by lobby or force but you were more concerns about your individuals pocket.Did you Seed more oil well to southern NO,in your mine you forgot that Christmas only 25th day which a day. Enjoys your book of lamentation

These old men should go and rest o.

Book of Lamentations!!!!!


Please NL family ..... I need someone to mentor me on any digital money making skill ..... I am broke and I don't want to be broke next year

Advocate500:
Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

You are actually confirming the marginalization story because the Midwest of that time is not the whole of the current Niger Delta. There were also oil producing minorities in the Eastern Region who are now in the Niger Delta with the old Midwest region.
And yes! They were all marginalized wether they were in the Western Region or Eastern Region. The Igbos and the Yorubas took everything from the resources to the appointments to the jobs.

Advocate500:
Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

guy rest. Igbos hates anything that is not Igbo.

The oil money was use to build railline in far Away Niger, the oil money was use to build Abuja from scratch. The oil money was use to develop the North. But why the producing region is lagging behind. One if the reason wike is silent about illegal refinary. The oil belong to the community abd they should take what belong to them.

If the federal government sees bomb in your House. The bomb is yours. But if it's oil the oil is theirs. What a wonderful constitution.

Obj the saint

Old fools, the oil Wells may dry up before these recycled politicians come to their senses, but they have all made money and own big investments abroad and when the Pandoras report have already exposed the thieves in our country and nothing has been done, it goes to prove one thing. Nigeria is a failed state

We recall and cring also....

May God punish all politicians that ruined our darling nation and took us 100 years back.

Obasanjo,
Awon drawers of life.
Jonathan, awon commissioner by photo online.

God bless our darling Daddy and his amiable Vice president Prof Yemi Osinbajo for all they are doing to make this once battered and looted nation work again.

Where was this old fool when the PIA with all the stupid clauses in it was passed and assented to?

These men are simply fighting for their selfish interests.

as you can see now...



The western region has been focusing more on development right from the 50s still up to this day..


No Wonder, the westerners are civilized pple Also known as developers....


If Nigeria breaks today ...in a easy way,......
Western region will definitely be active again with their local resources... not oil

Edwin Clark is saying the truth. When the West had their Cocoa, they were allowed to develop their region with 50% derivation but now that Niger Delta is just getting 13% derivation from their oil, other regions are getting too jealous of them and want to remove that 13% from them. True justice requires that you do onto others what they do to you. Edwin Clark is saying the truth but greedy Nigerians don't want to hear that. How can Nigeria be a better country when people who contribute the most resources get cheated.?

valentineuwakwe:

https://dailypost.ng/2021/12/22/resource-control-edwin-clark-tackles-obasanjo-recalls-ugly-past/

You merely wanted to tell the public that Obasanjo visited you, and that you are still relevant in issues bordering the Niger Delta people.

Resource Control talk by you people has been on for more than 25 years. Where has it led to? Mr. Resource Control was sold in Kaduna in 1967 by some unwise elders of the Niger Delta.

Then the best for the country is to let states returns to the 50-30-20sharing formular before the 1966coup...

Advocate500:
Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

Another truth is that the east has always lagged behind the other two region.. hear Clark

"Clark said, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the the Western region and Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern region were able to develop their regions above the Eastern region
as a result of the practice of the principle of derivation.

“The Eastern Region did not progress like the other two regions."

The earlier the east admit they are not equal to the other two region the better for them so they stop trying to equate themselves with the west and north. Ibos are not marginalized as they have their fair share of everything but greed and misinformation make them think they deserve more. Their 5 states is even generous considering the states are among the most unproductive in the federation

Advocate500:
Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

old eastern region was a cursed to humanity...

Stop fighting in public

These stvpid people dragging past administrations, make God just kill all these bragging old men.

Advocate500:
Thank God is coming from one of their elder ,so under Michael okpara ,the oil producing state was receiving 50% derivation? Under the one Nigeria they supported the killing of their neighbours because of the same oil they are made to enjoy only 13%.


But some people have been pushing a narrative that the igbos marginalised the oil producing state under the defunct old eastern region. So it's was actually the west that marginalised the midwest, we are learning, the truth will be made open one day and all this fairytales of igbos hating the people of niger delta will be led to rest with facts that will be glaring to all.

Truth must surely prevail no matter the propaganda against Ndigbo.