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Obi jets in from UK, says Nigerian leaders must borrow Clark’s courage
Nothing short of Nigerian leaders borrowing the penchant for courage and speaking truth to power as exemplified by Edwin Clark, the late Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) will satisfy Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Obi, who flew into the country to attend the burial ceremonies of the late elder statesman, one of the top Nigerians, who supported his presidential bid in 2023, called on Nigerian leaders to emulate his examples, describing him as a beacon of service, sacrifice, truth, and courage.
The LP boss, who was one of the many dignitaries at the Commendation Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on Monday, maintained that great Nigerians like Clark and the late Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo should be celebrated for their contributions to the nation’s growth.
Stressing that the failure to honor such statesmen partly explained the country’s current challenges, he said: “Pa Clark lived a life of service, sacrifice, courage, and truth—values that are rare in our country today. He fought for justice, equity, and the well-being of his people, standing for a better Nigeria until the very end. Adebanjo and Clark lived the kind of lives we need to emulate if we want a better Nigeria.”
The event put together by Godknows Igali, who took over as the leader of PANDEF following the death of the former Federal Commissioner of Information, along with the Clark family, of Kiagbodo in Delta State, was held ahead of his May 13 burial.
According to the official burial programme of the sage, who passed away on February 17 at the age of 97, the body would depart the Abuja International Airport for Yenagoa, followed by a lying-in-state and further commendation services at key locations.
After the ceremonies at Ijaw House, Yenagoa: 1:30–2:30pm, Warri: 6:30–7:00Ppm, at No. 5 Swamp Road, GRA, the body would again proceed to Kiagbodo Town, in Burutu Local Government of Delta State, where there would be another Lying-in-State at Edwin Clark University on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 10:00–10:30am.
Henry Ndukuba, Primate of Nigeria Anglican Communion who officiated at the Christian event, said in his homily that Nigerian leaders must shun excessive wealth acquisition and focus on addressing poverty in the land.
“Our leaders should not acquire unwanted wealth but address the suffering of the masses. Late Pa Clark fought for the downtrodden and for Nigeria’s unity even until his last days. Our leadership should emulate him by standing for the voiceless and ensuring that our resources are fully maximized for the people,” he said.
Commending Clark’s lifelong advocacy for the marginalised and his dedication to justice and equity in the Niger Delta, he noted that despite his status, the foremost Ijaw leader chose to fight for the emancipation of his people instead of enriching himself.
Other prominent faces at the event, included James Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, Uche Secondus, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, former Governor of Imo State and Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom.
Others, at the gathering, which served as a testament to Clark’s enduring legacy as a voice for justice, equality, and the protection of marginalised communities in Nigeria, were Bassey Henshaw, Kingsley Kuku, Mike Loyibo, Inusa Tanko, among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.
Alex Izinyon SAN, leading a team of lawyers of the commission in a notice of appeal dated May 25, raised nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Apart from raising the issue of jurisdiction, which it said the lower court did not determine, INEC also maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
Arguing that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant, the commission also stressed the lower court misinterpreted the provisions of the electoral act.
It said: “The high court erred in law when it held that: ‘It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
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