Dickson Alleges Plot To Intimidate Ijaw Nation Through Police Raid On Chief Clark’s Home

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson has accused the Federal government of deliberately attempting to intimidate the Ijaw Nation through the plotting of the police raid on the Abuja residence of Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark for alleged arms.

Governor Dickson stated this, on Monday night, when he led a delegation to Clark’s house, in Asokoro, Abuja, in solidarity with with the statesman.

The state governor said the Ijaw voice would continue to speak out against injustice and inequality in the country, adding that the move to intimidate his people will continue to fail.

Senator Ben Bruce, former Water Resources Minister, Muktar Shagari, a former Senate chief whip, Senator Stella Omu and a former permanent secretary, Alabo Graham Douglas among others were with the Dickson at Clark’s resident.

In the words of the governor, “I am leading this delegation today in solidarity with our leader and our father on account of the unfortunate invasion of his home.

“I have made it clear to you our utter disappointment, disapproval with the actions taken by the security agencies, in this case the Police, for what was clearly an unnecessary and totally condemnable act of intimidation, calculated to harass the person and family of our leader at the age of 92.

“We know that no weapon fashioned against our leader, our leaders and our people will stand.

“If this was an attempt to intimidate our leadership, then clearly it has failed because the spirit of our people, the spirit of the Ijaw nation, cannot be intimidated or subdued.

“Ijaw nation has never been conquered. The Ijaw spirit is indomitable. That is what you have taught and that is what you have shown all your life.

“In this nation of ours, the Ijaw voice will continue to be heard for everything that is right, good and fair to all.

“And we your children, today solidarise with you. We admire your courage, your fortitude, your strength of character for personifying the indomitable spirit of our people.

“We know that the unfortunate event will never sway you from doing or saying that which is right because that is what you and our people have stood for,”he said.

Dickson who lost his mother recently, stated that Clark had demonstrated quality leadership for his people, adding he personified what he called the indomitable spirit of the Ijaw people.

Reacting to the news of the sack of the policemen ransacked his resident, Clark said, “My immediate reaction was why make the boys scapegoats.

“They took us to their office. My people saw their boss and the boss was in contact with the IGP’s office. So, those boys didn’t act on their own.”

Speaking on the appointments into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Clark described it as unfair to the people from the South South.

According to him, “A situation where you provide for the resources in the country, and there is no one showing gratitude or appreciation, rather they manage what they take from your place.

“And at the end, they turn round to say those are troublemakers; they are militants.

“For instance, one of the things I have always been criticising them for, NNPC is the engine room of the oil industry.”