By Milcah Tanmu

Chief Edwin Clark, the Elder Statesman and Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, has expressed strong criticism of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Clark, Buhari’s eight years in office set Nigeria back by five decades. He outlined several grievances against the administration, including what he perceived as abysmal failure, lack of direction, insecurity, and economic collapse.

Clark’s remarks were made in response to the launch of a book titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),” authored by Buhari’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. The elder statesman faulted Buhari for praising his achievements during the book launch, stating that this contradicted the majority of Nigerians’ assessments of his tenure.

According to Clark, Buhari’s administration was marked by insecurity, economic collapse, injustice, religious bigotry, and a lack of direction. He also mentioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s acknowledgment of the challenges during Buhari’s tenure in Tinubu’s speech.

In a 12-page statement written on the eve of Buhari’s exit from office in May 2023, Clark had previously criticized Buhari for leaving unfulfilled promises, a divided nation, and critical federal infrastructural projects in shameful states, particularly in the Niger Delta region. He characterized Buhari’s eight-year tenure as unjust, biased, nepotistic, and a period of complete and total retrogression.