A group, the Northern Compatriots in Southern Nigeria, has criticised Chief Edwin Clark, for opposing the proposed naval base in Kano State, alleging that he mocked Kano people.

Clark had in an open letter to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), described as ridiculous the plan by the Federal Government to build a naval base in Kano, arguing that the state is in the middle of the Sahel and has no water for the navigation of naval warships.

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However, in a statement by its Regional Coordinator, South-South, Musbahu Saleh, NOCOMSON said Clark mocked Buhari and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, for questioning the proposed project.

The group said, “Part of our submission is that Clark is unacquainted with the requisites of naval bases, how they are being operated in advanced countries in the world or he is not aware that the Navy had approved the establishment of naval bases in some other states besides Kano.

“But Clark singled out Kano State for his scathing attack, which we believe is yet another failed attempt at distracting the Navy from its concerted effort to keep Nigeria ‘as one indivisible nation’ and to sabotage the Buhari regime’s efforts in containing the insecurity ravaging the country on various fronts.

“It is instructive to note that even the Chief of Naval Staff, through the Chief of Training and Operations of the Navy, Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, had explained to all the critics, particularly Chief Clark, the reasons behind the establishment of the base in Kano.”