Chief Edwin Clark
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has discredited claims that he betrayed former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, when he stated that the ex-President lacked the political will power to fight corruption.
The one time Minister of information, who was crticized by the camp of the former President over the statement, also invalidated claims that his decision to quit politics stemmed from Jonathan’s loss at the 2015 general election.
Clark said: “My statements on President Jonathan and my quitting partisan politics were wickedly, sensationally presented.
“It must be admitted that President Jonathan was very willing to fight corruption, but he believed that due process should and must be followed otherwise he could have initiated investigations into the scandals of Halliburton, Siemens and other serious alleged corruption charges levelled against some former Heads of State and other prominent Nigerians.
“Jonathan believed that there are institutions set up by the government, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC, and other anti-graft agencies.
“Over 50 high profile corruption cases are still pending in the various courts for over eight years now.
"I didn’t get anything from Jonathan.With all modesty, I am at this age contented. I state publicly therefore, that I never sought nor obtained any contract, oil block, oil lifting allocation or financial gratification from the ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, during his years of administration."
“Similarly, I never solicited for appointments or special placements for any of my children or relations in any government or private concern on account of my relationship with President Jonathan.
“It is, therefore, ludicrous and totally ill-motived for these wicked and mischievous persons to sell to the public that my decision portends a plan to seek any special favours from President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, or to protect those gains which I acquired from Jonathan’s government, which never existed.