Delta Guber: Why Urhobo Nation should support re-election of Okowa – Clark

By Eseoghene Emuke

Ijaw National leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called on Urhobo Ethnic Nationality in Delta State to support the re-election bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the March 9^th Governorship election in the state.

Clark said Okowa having performed well in handling of the state affairs; he should be given a second term to continue his infrastructural and socio-economic development of the state.

Clark stated this on Wednesday at a news conference held at his Kiagbodo country-home to drum support for the governor in this Saturday’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

He urged Deltans irrespective of their ethnic lineage to support and vote Governor Okowa on Saturday, adding that it would only be fair to allow Delta North Senatorial District to complete their eight years in office just as Delta Central and South have equally done.

The former minister of information said, “I sincerely appeal to all my Urhobo brothers, sisters, all my children, friends and Urhobo patriots not to deviate from the present arrangement/understanding. Let Delta Central wait until 2023 when the governorship slot of the State will return to it.

“I am an Urhobo by all standards, Urhobo blood not only runs in my veins but also its culture and language which has been part of me from birth, the Urhobo I know will stand against injustice, discrimination in building a virile society where though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.

“I trust that great Urhobo like Mukoro Mowoe of blessed memory and many others saw the need of accommodating others in a plural society and this is what leads to Urhobo resurgence and greatness, we cannot compromise these values today. I urge Uhrobos to massively support him in building a virile state of peace, equity, unity and brotherhood.”

While drumming for support for Okowa who is contesting on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Clark, who is the Convener and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said the election was not about the governor but for the peace of the state.

“For the governorship contest in Delta State, I am appealing to all Deltans, politicians and contestants of political offices in Delta State to distance themselves from anything that will cause bloodletting in the State.Delta State under His Excellency, Sen. Dr. IfeanyiOkowa is peaceful and the government is performing.

“As we collectively go for the polls on March 9, 2019, this Saturday, there are several things which are at stake: our unity and identity as a people, the need to keep the existing understanding and cooperation among the three senatorial districts and wedging a common understanding among the diverse ethnic groups in the state, in ensuring equity and justice, and development of the state.

“Since 1999 we have come a long way as a state and stood as one indivisible people. We cannot afford to fail as a people in ensuring the purpose of unity in diversity, collective aspirations of all Deltans and to aspire to any office based on equity and justice.

“As an elder statesman I belong to no political party;  however my years of meritorious services to my fatherland since 1954 till date deserves the best for my country and my state…I owe it a duty to offer my advice as a father who sees what a child sitting on top of a mountain cannot see.

“The governorship election of Saturday March 9 2019, is not about Governor Okowa, as a person, but it is about the unity of the state, the need to sustain equity and justice so that every senatorial district can have a sense of belonging in peace, political relevance and economic prosperity. This unity is in each senatorial zone is having a taste of the governorship of the state to foster understanding and brotherhood that translate to economic and political stability”, he added.