The leader of the Ijaw people in the South-south, Chief Edwin Clark, has denied any involvement in the proposed political summit slated for next month.
Clark alongside Alhaji Maitama Sule, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, according to reports in some national dailies were to lead the Uyo Political Summit.
A statement signed by the elder statesman and former federal commissioner, dissociated himself from the impression created by the publication that he was one the leaders of the purported summit.
He stressed that he has nothing to do arrangement.
The statement reads in part:
“I wish to use this medium to inform the general public that I have no idea, whatsoever, about the proposed Political Summit said to be organised by Citizen Advocacy Group and Project Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa- Ibom State, on July 2-3, 2013.
“I want to state, categorically, that I cannot be party to any discussion with any group in whose imagination there is "growing instability in the country.
"For example, the unreasonable and unconstitutional call by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, on behalf of The Patriots published in The Guardian of June 13, 2013, demanding that, "the President must immediately affirm to the nation that he will not be again a candidate for the office of president and that he will end his service to the nation as president, with the help of God, in May 2015.
“It is not surprising that Prof. Nwabueze in his write-up preferred to extol the military dictatorship of Mustapha Kamal Attaturk in Turkey, rather than a democratic example elsewhere, considering the Professor's unrepentant services, as Secretary of Education, under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
“It must not be seen that people who are camouflaging their political ideas and ambition with intellectualism are encouraged.
“How can I sit with such unpatriotic saboteurs of the democratic process; I, who strongly believe and a well known advocate of the indisputable fact that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has performed, and is still performing, admirably and creditably well in restoring and consolidating political, economic and social stability in the country.
“I strongly believe that the so called summit is being put together and will be attended by the advocates and supporters of those who see nothing, and will see nothing good in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, in spite of glaring evidence of the numerous achievements so far recorded.
“I, therefore, dissociate myself from the impression created by the publication that I am one of the leaders of the purported political summit. I have nothing to do with it and I am sure that those of like mind as myself, who believe in the good work being done by President Jonathan, will not attend it.”
