Ijaw Leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on Friday debunked the rumour that he collapsed and died shortly after the 2015 presidential election result was announced in favour of General Muhammadu Buhari.
While addressing newsmen at his Asokoro residence in Abuja, the Ijaw leader told Nigerians to stop engaging in rumour, urging them to cooperate with the incoming government in order to move the country forward.
Clark, who supported the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan, said: “We must forget what was said against one another during the elections and move forward.
“Jonathan was the one that contested the election and has conceded defeat.
“So, why should I die because Jonathan lost?
“You can see me here today talking to you, hail and hearty.
“I think it is unfair for people to begin to carry rumour that I collapsed and died after the result of the presidential election was announced.”
The Ijaw leader also faulted the statement credited to former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Comassie, criticising President Jonathan over the removal of Suleman Abba as the IGP.
Coomassie had said in a statement that the move by the President to remove Abba as IGP about six weeks to his exit from power is suspicious.
Clark added that Jonathan has always protected the interest of Northerners even before he was made the president.
He added that it was wrong for Commasie to question Jonathan’s actions and decisions, stressing that doing so will amount to usurping his rights as president.
He said: “To say the least, this is the most uncharitable comment coming from a former Inspector-General of Police, who is conscious of the fact that the police is a disciplined establishment.
“To restrict ourselves to the Nigerian Police, and for the record, President Jonathan has always protected the Northern interest in the service, even before he became full president.
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“When President Jonathan did not explain to the public the reason he retired senior police officers from the South South with potentials to be IGP, no one raised an eyebrow.
“Why must he now give explanation for the removal of Suleiman Abba?
“He owes no one any explanation as it is his prerogative to do what he deems right for the overall common good of Nigerians.”