Elder statesman, Edwin Clark, has warned that the agitation for a Biafra nation by Nnamdi Kanu and his followers is capable of causing a civil war.
He therefore warned against his agitation which he described as “nonsense.”
Clark who spoke when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Sen. Shehu Sani, visited him on Tuesday in Abuja also condemned the Northern youth for giving Igbo in the North a notice to quit.
He said the development was worrisome.
According to him agitation or secession bid could lead the country to doom.
Said he: “When Kanu talks about Biafra, he is talking nonsense. We do not want a second war.’’
He said further: “America fought their civil war for a long time and they are not thinking of a second one. Kanu should drop the agitation.
“At the same time, it is arrogant and foolish on the part of some Northern youths to issue quit notice. You do not own the North. It is part of Nigeria and anybody can live there.
“The Igbos have been living in the North for over 100 years. I condemn all of them.”
Clark also spoke on the call for restructuring in the country.
According to him, restructuring had been going on over the years.
“We have been living together since 1914 and from time to time, we have been changing the way of our lives.
“In 1947, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said the Richard Constitution was obnoxious; that it was anti-people. In 1950, we had the Macpherson Constitution which created the three regions and in 1963, we had another constitution.
“During all these constitutions, the issue of fiscal federation was very prominent. So, we have been restructuring this country and nobody talked about breaking up the country.
“The war between 1967 and 1970 was an unfortunate one,” he declared.
He said rather, the National Assembly should revisit the issue of devolution of power as a way of carrying out a restructuring of the country.
“We have reached a stage where states are not paying salaries and something has to be done to gear their minds to see what they can do in their own area to generate money.
“I am happy you believe in restructuring, which can be achieved within a short time but it may take up to 20 years if we do not agree among ourselves.
“So, once more I want to say that when you resume, the issue of devolution of power should be re-visited so that Federal Government will deal with foreign affairs, prisons, customs and a few other things,” he added.
Speaking during the visit, Sani explained that the devolution of power did not scale through at the National Assembly because of the fear that state governments might abuse their powers.
He said in addition, worrisome was the manner in which state independent electoral commissions conducted election with the ruling party winning almost all positions.
“So, if we devolve the police, we have to allay the fears of people on the implications. Those who are championing some of these issues need to make clarifications,” he said.
Speaking on the notice to quit given to the Igbo by Northern youth, Sani said the development was embarrassing.
