Prominent South-South leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s democratic future, calling for the immediate suspension of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to prevent what he describes as an impending governmental crisis. The elder statesman’s dramatic intervention highlights growing concerns about the concentration of power among state governors and their influence over legislative processes.
Drawing parallels with the United States Governors’ Association, Clark critiqued the NGF’s evolution from its original mandate as a collaborative platform into what he characterizes as a powerful bloc capable of challenging federal authority and manipulating legislative processes. His statement, titled “Our Governors’ Forum: An Open Appeal for Reform,” outlines how the organization has strayed from its intended purpose of fostering inter-state cooperation.
Clark’s most serious allegation centers on the governors’ control over state assemblies. He argues that state legislators have been reduced to mere rubber stamps for executive decisions, with speakers and assembly members effectively handpicked by governors to ensure unwavering loyalty. This arrangement, he suggests, has created a environment where independent thought faces swift political retribution.
At the federal level, Clark points to concerning patterns in how governors influence the selection of senators, often treating these positions as retirement plans for former governors. This systematic manipulation of legislative processes, he argues, prioritizes personal political interests over public service and undermines the principles of democratic governance.
The elder statesman’s critique extends beyond current political maneuvering to address fundamental questions about Nigeria’s democratic structure. As leader of both the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), Clark’s perspective carries significant weight in national political discourse.
His call for the NGF’s suspension represents a dramatic escalation in the ongoing debate about power distribution within Nigeria’s federal system. Clark argues that the forum’s current trajectory threatens the delicate balance between different levels of government and undermines constitutional principles of checks and balances.
While acknowledging the NGF’s potential as a force for positive change, Clark emphasizes that significant reforms are necessary to realign the organization with its original purpose. He envisions a reconstituted NGF that would prioritize collaboration over control and serve as a genuine platform for improving governance across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The timing of Clark’s intervention is particularly significant as it comes amid growing concerns about the concentration of political power and its implications for democratic governance in Nigeria. His warning about “looming crises between various governments” suggests deep-seated structural problems that require immediate attention.
Clark’s proposed solution – immediate suspension of the NGF – represents a radical approach to addressing these issues. However, he frames this not as a permanent measure but as an opportunity for necessary reform and recalibration of the organization’s role within Nigeria’s federal structure.
The statement has sparked renewed debate about the balance of power in Nigeria’s federal system and the role of state governors in national politics. As the country grapples with these fundamental questions of governance, Clark’s intervention serves as both a warning and a call to action for meaningful reform in how state executives interact with other branches of government.
