Edwin Clark Shuts Down Rumour That He Collapsed After Jonathan Was Defeated At The Polls

Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information in Nigeria and leader of the Ijaw group, has debunked rumours that he fainted after President Goodluck Jonathan was defeated at the polls. He reportedly said, "Why will I die because Jonathan lost the election."

Clark, who said he was leaving Nigeria for London last night (Friday), spoke with journalists in Abuja, saying it was wrong for anyone to think that he would die, after Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari in the election.

Punch reports that he said some people had been going round with rumours that he collapsed when he heard about the outcome of the presidential election.

“I am here today to tell you that I am not dead. Or am I dead? In every election, there would be winners and losers. The same thing happened during the last presidential election.

“I am alive. Today, I won’t talk about what happened before, during and after the election. That will come another day.

“I am talking to you now because I am travelling tomorrow and some people will go into the streets and say I was carried into air ambulance.

“President Jonathan that contested election had congratulated the winner and the whole world acclaimed him for conceding defeat.

“Jonathan was the one who contested election, I didn’t. So, why should I die,” he said.

*Original reportage by Punch but rewritten here*