Attack on Anenih: Senator tells Clark, others to reason like statesmen

Senator Yisa Braimoh has taken a swipe at Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, urging him to reason like a statesman and stop attacking the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih.
A member of the Nigerian Senators’ Forum, Braimoh noted that the effort of Anenih, which is aimed at resolving the crisis rocking the ruling party, is statesmanlike and should be commended.
Clark; former Senate President, Ameh Ebute; former Minister of Police Affairs, retired General David Jemibewon; and former Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, retired General Ibrahim Haruna, had met at Clark’s residence in Abuja on Thursday under the aegis of Congress for Equality, criticizing Anenih for saying the aggrieved governors elected on the platform of the PDP but who have formed another faction, have genuine grievances.
While condemning the attitude of Chief Clark and his co-travelers, the senator also noted that it was capable of escalating the crisis, urging them to emulate the BoT chairman’s peace effort.
He also reminded them that they are not in any way helping President Goodluck Jonathan by their postures and attitude, adding that all available means should be employed to bring all the party members together under one umbrella again.
Braimoh, who represented Edo North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, said in a statement on Friday: “It is sardonic that while elders of the PDP should spare no effort to put an end to the lingering crisis threatening our party, Chief Clark and his friends who should be voices of moderation are the ones stoking the fire and choosing to be part of the problem rather than the solution. It is, indeed, pathetically sad that they are unconscionably widening the gulf between contending parties.
“While the position taken by Chief Tony Anenih as Chairman of the BoT of the PDP is statesmanlike and helpful to the process of finding solutions to the crisis, the attitude of Chief Edwin Clark and his friends in the Congress for Equality only helps to worsen the crisis. They should therefore emulate Chief Anenih.
“They should have known, if they were not being mischievous, that as chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Anenih is expected to play the role of an impartial arbiter, which does not admit of dissembling. This is what he has appropriately done in the circumstance. His attitude does not detract from his commitment to the unity of the party and the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
“Chief Edwin Clark and his friends should know that they are not helping President Jonathan by taking positions that are capable of worsening the crisis especially when the Presidency and the PDP leadership have initiated peace talks with the aggrieved governors.
“It is patently fraudulent for Chief Clark and co. to present the correct position by Chief Anenih at promoting efforts at reconciliation as tantamount to identifying with the aggrieved governors. This type of shenanigans should not be the stock in trade of people who are supposed to be elder statesmen.”
Senator Braimoh also recalled it was not the first time that Chief Anenih would say that some governors have complaints against some elders of the party.
He said: “Permit me to quote Anenih’s exact statements in Asaba which were also repeated in Abuja: ‘It is true that some Governors have complaints against the leadership of the party; however, such complaints are not sufficient to warrant any rebellion as speculated. There have also been some complaints against the Governors.
“In any case, the problems raised are not insurmountable as, indeed, they are already being addressed by the leadership of the Party’. So, why are Clark and his friends trying to make political capital out of a non-issue? Nobody faulted the honest appraisal then. Why are they trying to ridicule themselves by trying to make an issue out of a non-issue?”