Clark debunks claims of voters’ registration in his house
By FESTUS AHON & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE
UGHELLI—NATIONAL leader of the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, yesterday described as malicious, falsehood and blackmail, reports in a national daily (not Vanguard) that he is carrying out voters’ registration in his Warri residence but explained that internally displaced persons of Ayakoromo taking temporary refuge there were being registered by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Clark made the clarification during a press briefing at Kiagbodo, Burutu Council area of Delta State yesterday.
Clark said that it was wrong for the said reporter to portray him in such bad light having earned himself a good reputation and gave the newspaper a one week ultimatum to retract the story failing which he will be sued for libel.
Clark noted that the said report was being lavishly mentioned by recently appointed Commissioner for Communication, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, at his interview with the Channel Television yesterday morning at about 07:30 hours.
The Ijaw leader explained that “I came home from Abuja on Wednesday and on Thursday I was accompanied by my wife, family members and personal staff to register at Kiagbodo in accordance with INEC directives.
“It is true that persons displaced from their home in Ayakoromo as a result of the attack by the Nigerian soldiers have been living in my private residence in Warri since that time. I have also provided relief materials to the refugees. However, before the registration exercise started, the Ayakoromo Rehabilitation Council led by Chief Anthony Bamuza contacted me in Abuja as to the possibility of using my private residence in Warri as a registration centre for the displaced persons and I said I had no objection provided there is an approval from INEC and the security forces.”
He said that it was as a result of his advice that the council addressed a relief letter with ref. No 2011/001/INEC dated 12th January 2011 to the Delta State REC and others was made which was granted.
Clark further explained that in answer to the request that INEC supplied DDC machines for the registration of Ayakoromo refugees both at his place and at Ogbeh_Ijoh. That it is therefore “malicious, callous and wicked publication of falsehood to say that 11 or 16 DDC machines were supplied to my residence for the registration of voters which was said to have been organised by me.”
“The question is, what will i benefit from registering of people in my private residence in Warri and for what purpose? I repeat, I am not involved in the registration of voters at my residence in Warri.” He added.
Clark warned: “I therefore strongly advice the said callous mischievous and irresponsible correspondent of the said newspaper to carry out proper investigation and retract the vicious and unfounded libellous story purportedly made to discredit and blackmail my person, failing which i will be compelled to seek legal redress, within one week.”
