The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, has called on Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information and leader of the South-South region, to adopt a more inclusive and less sentimental approach in addressing party matters.
Damagum’s remarks were in response to an open letter from Clark, in which the elder statesman demanded that the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, leave the PDP. Clark accused Wike of using his influence with President Bola Tinubu to undermine Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and disrupt the party.
“He has all it takes to do the needful, not by taking a sentimental approach to the situation,” Damagum stated, advising Clark to use his wisdom and experience to contribute positively to the party.
Clark, who is also the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, had expressed concern over Wike’s actions, particularly his alleged efforts to destabilize the Rivers State government. He emphasized that he could not remain silent while Wike continued to harass the governor, stating,
“Such actions could not be tolerated and must be addressed to protect the party and its members.”
In his letter, Clark accused Wike of orchestrating anti-party activities and using his position to intimidate and harass PDP members in Rivers State. He referred to Wike’s behavior as a blatant attempt to destabilize the state government, saying, “The recent actions of Wike before and during the last meeting of the party in April show clearly that he is all out to destabilize the smooth running of the Rivers State government.”
The ongoing feud between Wike and Governor Fubara, both PDP members, has led to a significant division within the Rivers State House of Assembly, with factions aligning with either Wike or Fubara. Despite efforts by President Bola Tinubu and other elder statesmen to reconcile the two sides, the conflict has persisted, affecting governance in the state.
In his response, during the inauguration of the PDP National Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committees in Abuja on Thursday, Damagum urged Clark to reflect on his role as an elder statesman and avoid public disputes.
He quoted Olisah Metuh, a former PDP official, who commented on Clark’s departure from the party in 2015, saying, “There’s no doubt that he is an elder statesman. But I thought that when you reach that age, God has given you the opportunity and wisdom to be a father to all, not to engage in public arguments.”
Damagum concluded by reaffirming his respect for elders, stating, “I was not raised to be disrespectful to elders, so I don’t intend to dwell on this further.”