Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Elder statesman and Ijaw leader Edwin Clark has lambasted president Bola Tinubu for toing the same line with his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who during his period of eight years in office, favoured those from his region with juicy political appointments to the detriment of other regions.
Clark made this remarks during a Christmas service held at his Abuja residence.
He faulted former President Muhammadu Buhari and the current President Bola Tinubu for failing to promote inclusive governance.
Clark further alleged that Buhari’s administration prioritized appointments based on ethnicity rather than merit, marginalizing qualified individuals from other regions. He further lamented that Tinubu’s leadership has continued on a similar path, fostering favoritism and exclusion.
He stressed that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens and must not be controlled or dominated by any single group or region.
He said: “For eight years, Buhari employed his people whether educated or not. Under Tinubu, the situation hasn’t changed. Nobody is superior to others; this country belongs to every Nigerian.”
The Elder statesman argued that nepotism poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s unity, warning that it undermines the nation’s political and economic stability.
He added that such practices erode public trust in government institutions, alienate marginalized groups, and hinder the country’s progress.
Clark expressed concern that tribalism and favouritism weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundation, urging the adoption of a system that values competence, fairness, and accountability. He called on Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable and push for reforms that promote inclusivity and reflect the nation’s diversity.
While Clark commended President Tinubu’s recent efforts to communicate with the public through national broadcasts, he stressed that speeches alone would not resolve Nigeria’s challenges.
He called for concrete actions to address critical issues such as corruption, insecurity, and poverty, urging the government to back words with decisive, impactful measures.