Elder statesman and leader of the Southern and Middlebelt Leaders Forum (SMLF), Chief Edwin Clark, expressed strong criticism of the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that it regressed Nigeria and its citizens by five decades. Clark characterized the administration as unjust, biased, and nepotistic, highlighting failures in areas such as insecurity, economic collapse, injustice, religious bigotry, and a lack of direction.

In response to the unveiling of the book “Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023)” by Femi Adesina, a former special adviser to Clark on media and publicity, the elder statesman voiced his disagreement with the assessment presented in the book. Clark expressed that the majority of Nigerians view Buhari’s administration as a failure, contradicting the positive portrayal in the book.

Clark recalled having previously communicated his concerns about Buhari’s presidency in a nearly 12-page farewell message on May 28, 2023, as the president was exiting office. In the message, he lamented the administration’s alleged inconsistencies, discrimination, marginalization, and neglect, asserting that Buhari was leaving the nation, particularly the Niger Delta region, in a worse state than he found it. The elder statesman pointed to unfulfilled promises, a divided nation, and critical federal infrastructure projects, especially in the Niger Delta, being in shameful conditions. Clark also highlighted the pervasive insecurity in various parts of the country, attributing it to various criminal activities.

In summary, Chief Edwin Clark remains critical of President Buhari’s administration, reiterating his concerns about its impact on the nation and its citizens.