I didn’t get contract, oil block, anything from Jonathan— Edwin Clark

ELDER statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has dismissed insinuations that he betrayed former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, by reportedly saying that the ex-President lacked the political will to fight corruption, noting that he was maliciously misconstrued.
Clark, who was criticised by some associates of the former President over the statement, also denounced claims that his decision to quit partisan politics was provoked by the ex-President’s defeat at the polls.
In a 3,902-word letter, the former Minister of Information exonerated himself from the various allegations of betrayal levelled against him, adding that close associates of the former President and some party leaders sold Jonathan out.
He further defended the former leader’s anti-corruption record, noting that his attempt to probe former Heads of State, who were fingered in high profile corruption cases, was frustrated by some officials in Jonathan’s government.
His words: “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.

‘He was sabotaged’
“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.
“Regrettably, some of those who surrounded him led by the Attorney General, Alhaji Hassan Tukur, made it impossible for these institutions to work either by stopping them from arresting offenders or prosecuting some of the cases.
“Over 50 high profile corruption cases are still pending in the various courts for over eight years now. Laughable plea bargains and out of court settlements became the order of the day.
“It was at this juncture, when there was general complaint about the government not aggressively fighting corruption, that I addressed an open petition to the then Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, November 2 , 2011, complaining that most of those charged to court, especially former governors who have become senators, were still pending.
“He promptly replied my letter on November 3. Most of the petitions written against some prominent Nigerians, addressed to the anti-graft agencies, did not see the light of the day.
“Ironically, the perpetrators of these corrupt actions were the same persons who attacked Jonathan’s inability to eradicate corruption.
“It is indeed most disingenuous to insinuate that my relationship with the former President was based on what benefits accrued to me. That is far from the truth as I never benefited any material thing from President Jonathan in all his six years as President.

‘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.
“On the contrary, my public service in this country, which spans over 60 years, had given me the opportunity to seek the political, social and economic development of my people and Nigeria in general. I remain committed more than ever before to the economic, political and social emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta, South-South, the entire minorities and the development and unity of this great nation.


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