Chief Edwin Clark, the Federal Commissioner for Information and leader of the Southern and Middlebelt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to prevent powerful politicians from taking control of the State Judiciary and local governments. In a statement addressed to Akpabio, Clark warned against a group of ambitious politicians regrouping to dominate state legislative debates and influence governance.
Clark, who also leads the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), expressed concerns about attempts to bypass public debate and gain undue control over state affairs, which violates constitutional provisions. He pointed to an anti-democratic group within the National Assembly (NASS) that seeks to control party structures and state governance through dubious means, bypassing due legislative processes. Clark advised Akpabio to ensure that all government actions align with democratic laws to prevent further divisions in the country.