Delta 2023: E.K Clark’s Masterstroke And Political Morality

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq
#eacgivdelta

Politics of stomach infrastructure is largely responsible for mumu or foolish loyalty in our democratic politics. Fear of hunger and eight years relegation without political appointment has been identified as the major reason for political deception in this dispensation.

Many people know the truth but afraid to speak, for fear of political victimization. They believe that individual political destiny is in the hands of wealthy and connected godfathers, not in the hands of God Almighty. When they see black, they call it white, for fear of political sanctions or relegation. Too bad!

Thank God, we still have an upright elder statesman and astute politician, in the person of Chief E.K Clark, who consistently dish out raw truth whenever the need arises. I read his mega and explosive interview with my friend, Emma Amaize, and I fell in love again and again with the Pan Niger Delta leader. Thanks to Amaize for the superlative coinage of the firebrand questions. It worked like Africa Magic.

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He talked about moral justification in politics and lack of it. He also debunked rumours making the round that the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, became governor through the help and support of our amiable former governor, Chief James Ibori, noting that Ibori could not have supported Edevbie and Okowa, at the same time, arguing that such assumption does not pass commonsense test.

Pa E.K Clark, revealed that the deal that gave victory to Okowa at the party primaries in 2014 was signed, sealed and delivered at his Abuja private residence, a coded meeting attended by Dr Okowa, Senator James Manager, Chief Tompolo, Otuaro and few others, where the incumbent governor was favoured on the basis of competence, fair play and equity.

Political commentators believe that if the Ijaws and Isokos of Delta South had voted for Edevbie, he would have defeated Okowa at the party primaries; because Ibori’s foot soldiers mobilized heavily for Edevbie. But the reverse was the case, as majority of Ijaw and Isoko delegates voted Okowa against Uvwiamuge declaration of UPU and Edevbie.

This was what Pa Clark may have referred to as “competence, fair play and equity” in favour of Okowa and Delta North, based on the promise made to HRM the Asagba of Asaba and Anioma royal fathers by Chief Clark and the Ijaw nation.

The elder statesman disclosed that just as former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was imposed on Deltans through a kangaroo primaries in 2007, Sir Tony Obuh was to emerge through similar process at the 2014 primaries, but for the political surgery carried out by super political strategists which gave Okowa victory, not the support of Ibori political family.

At the guber primaries in 2014 we saw members of the Ibori group coordinating for Chief David Edevbie and they are the same set of politicians that formed, funded and promoted the now infamous DC-23; ravaged by series of alleged corruption in the discharge of their lobby and screening assignments.

Pa E.K Clark went through the memory lane to unravel the mystery behind Chief James Ibori’s ordeal via certain documents a group of aggrieved politicians handed over to former President Olusegun Obsanjo, who in turn handed same over to former Chairman of EFCC, Mr Nuhu Rabadu. He said it was a fallout of the kangaroo guber primaries that gave PDP governorship ticket to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007.

Pa Clark, said power rotation was never adhered to in Delta State, because different ethnic nationalities in the three senatorial districts contested guber primaries from 1999 to 2015, but that competence, fair play and equity has been the major yardstick at the last minute to produce PDP flag bearer in previous primaries in the State.

Chief Clark faulted the primaries which gave the party’s ticket to Uduaghan and gave credence to the 1999 and 2015 primaries, as fair and transparent. He accused Chief Ibori of abuse of power, for treating other aspirants shabbily in 2007, and for imposing governor Uduaghan on Deltans.

He spoke extensively about Uvwiamuge Declaration of November 2014, and how governor Uduaghan and UPU led by Chief Joe Omene, sponsored Chief David Edevbie with the sole intention of depriving governor Okowa from getting PDP ticket, and which was why the Ijaw axis teamed up with Delta North and political associates in Delta Central to deliver Okowa at the party primaries on the basis of competence, fair play and equity.

The elder statesman debunked rumours making the rounds that Gov Okowa signed agreement or took oath to hand over power to Ijaw after his tenure. The oldest and most experienced politician in Delta State, said no such agreement was reached either written or oral.

More importantly, he said that no past governor in Delta State, have the moral justification to decide who should be Okowa’s successor in 2023, practically referring to the unhealthy political scenarios of 2007 and 2015 guber primaries that took place at Ogwashi-Uku and Asaba, respectively.

The elder statesman and London trained lawyer, posited that governor Okowa is not favourably disposed to have Chief David Edevbie as his successor, and that only very few Deltans will fault Okowa on his decision, referring to Ibori political family members who are insisting on Edevbie, for reasons best known to them.

It will be recalled that Governor Okowa assured Deltans and party faithfuls that his successor will emerge in a free, fair and transparent primaries, and that no aspirant has been legitimately screened out of the governorship race, after DC-23 lobby group published the names of; Chief Sheriff Oboreveori, Chief Kenneth Gbagi and Chief David Edevbie, as the most qualified aspirants.

The governor’s decision to provide a level playing field for aspirants had to a large extent politely rejected the screening exercise embarked upon by the promoters of DC-23 lobby group in the state, wherein the group was accused of financial inducements, unscrupulous yardsticks and concealed political motives.

In a couple of weeks from now the political pendulum will swing to the crown prince of Government House, Asaba, precisely from Delta Central in line with what Clark termed “fair play and equity,” and we shall work very hard to deliver him and our great party, PDP, at both the guber primaries and on election day.

Stronger Delta, Let’s Build Together!