Edwin Clark, elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, says he has always been in support of the fight against corruption, recalling how he challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo for having just N20,000 when he left prison but is now one of the wealthiest ex-presidents in West Africa.
Addressing reporters at his Warri, Delta state residence on Friday, Clark said he confronted Obasanjo with this allegation in the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Maintaining that Nigerians know his stance against corruption, Clark spoke on the role he played in the conviction of James Ibori, former Delta state governor, who is currently serving a jail term in London.
“I talked about corruption during the time of erstwhile President Obasanjo and Yar’ Adua,” he said.
Advertisement
“During Jonathan’s time, I accused Chief Obasanjo that he was the most corrupt ex-president Nigeria had ever produced. I said that he left prison with only N20,000, but today he is one of the wealthiest former presidents in the whole of West Africa.
“I was also in the forefront of fighting our former governor, Chief James Ibori, leading to him being sentenced UK. Every Nigerian is aware of this. I led the crusade against him especially when a judge dropped the charges against him.”
Clark said people accusing him of not speaking against corruption were “unpatriotic”.
Advertisement
Responding to a recent critical piece against him, the Ijaw leader said: “Ordinarily, I shouldn’t have reply to it because whoever is the author is vicious, wicked and not a patriotic Nigerian. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have written I never spoke against corruption during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“I said the author is being vicious because I have been talking about corruption even before the time of Jonathan.”
7 comments
Thank sir for the revelation. Can you go a step further by telling Nigerians your net worth before and after Jonathan’s six years reign when your home in Abuja became mecca.
We are not in a hurry to forget ignoble role you played during the six years of locust that Jonathan’s presidency represents.
The question, papa Clark, is not what you said about Obasanjo’s corruption. It is what you said about Jonathan’s corruption then. Nobody is a kid that you would want to pull wool over our eyes. Tell us about the Jonathan corruption because that is the one you are more qualified to talk about – you told us Jonathan was your son so you should have more insider information about that one.
As a junior military officer, Obasanjo had investments in real estates. Why then will he not be one of the richest men on earth? Clarke, at his age, should know that there is a big difference between cash at hand and wealth. It will so foolish for anybody to think that a one-time president, with vast real estates will be worth only N20,000. Even if he is in jail, he will be getting richer. I am not saying he may not have stolen, but he certainly wasn’t a poor man when he left prison
Una no go leave dis old man, make him rest, people weh still dis money de dere mansion d enjoy themselves una de here d worry dis old man. Previously stealing was different from corruption now budget padding is nt an offense abeg make una sell dis country give me my share before my own go lost.
in my own opinion all politician are thieves
Obasanjo is my man anytime anyday. He was accused of stealing $2.8 billion in 1979. He is not a philanthropist, yet he left prison with N20000 in his account. He is not known to own properties abroad, Abuja or even Lagos. His accusers should simply shut up. A man came from prison yet was more up to date that he in 1999 linked Nigeria up to the Internet and mobile communications world. Jealousy will kill some people.
Oga Clark, did u know pedigree of Obasanjo. He is the owner of largest Farm in Nig (Africa included).
Let remind you that the ex president has a retirement salary and Benefits he received from the Nigeria Govt.so putting all ds together wi amount 20,000/=. Pls,think twice and put sentiment aside,is a baba for Everyone. I THINK U ARE JEALOUS OF HIS STATUS IN THE WHOLE WORLD NOW. Na God Almighty dey put people higher. Pls work harder so may be u can earn that Rank.