Edwin Clark attacking Okowa for not servicing his political interest – CSO

A Niger Delta based Pan African Civil Society Group operating under the aegis of Global Initiative for African Development said the latest outburst by Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark against the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was as a result of Okowa’s refusal to service Clark’s political interest throughout his tenure in office.

GIFAD in a statement on Sunday which was sent to CAPITAL POST lashed at the octogenarian for going petty and raising unnecessary dust against the ex-governor who did all within his powers to raise Delta State to the present enviable level, stressing that Chief Edwin Clark has records of rubbishing past governors, particularly after they have left office.

In the statement which was jointly signed by Dr. Onwubuya John Abraham, Chairman, Amb. Johnson Muyiwa Adesida, Director-Genearal, Hajia Dr. Halima Abdullahi Atta
(ED- projects Monitoring and Evaluations), and Mr. Joseph Aliu, Project Secretary, opined that the CSO has been working within the terrain in the Niger Delta for the past 17 years, hence, its within their knowledge of the happenings, even as allegations against Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa were unfounded, particularly the handling of funds by the immediate past governor.

GIFAD’s reaction was at the backdrop of Clark’s live interview on Arise Television, where he laid several allegations against the immediate past governor of Delta State and the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The statement said: “GIFAD Pan African has worked in Delta State for the past 17 years and understand the system of governance of the State.

“Having followed up on funds received by the Government led by Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa from 2015 to 2023, it’s obvious that some persons or leaders are fighting him for non-patronage, as the Governor dedicated over 55% of the State funds received on grassroots empowerment and infrastructural development, that is why he is called Mr Projects, against the wishes of the enemies of the State that made themselves as God fathers of the State, wanting the Governor’s attention against the common good of Deltans.

“We believed that the Elderstateman is being manipulated by some dare devil political enemies of Gov Okowa to use him as a platform to raise dust and to be attacking out going or former Governors. This unfortunately has became the ethic of the Elderstateman to be troubling Governors at the end of their tenure,, he did same to former Governor James Ibori and former Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan , now Sen Ifeanyi Okowa.

“We, therefore, request that Deltans and Nigerians at large should disregard the Elderstateman interview on ArseTv and not take those allegations seriously as it’s untrue and misleading.

“Global Initiative for African Development is a Pan African Civil Society Group registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) since 2005 (18 years now) and has been working in the thematic areas of deepening democratic process and promoting good governance through monitoring government policies, budgets implementations and accountability in government.

“Over 17years now, the Organization has been following up government activities in Niger Delta Region especially in Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers and Bayelsa states respectively till date and can attest to a large extent the activities of Governance in these states.

“Unfortunately, we read on social media and listened to a recent live interview by an Elder statesman and the leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin K. Clark broadcasted at Arise TV morning show attacking the immediate past Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of misappropriating the state’s derivative fund amounting to N1.760 trillion

“And that he has petitioned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Okowa’s involvement in the floating of Premium Bank, which he allegedly used to lodge all the derivation funds and build a University in his village and also put the funds into his 13 companies including the allegations of sidelining the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), established to manage a 13 percent oil derivation fund to drive infrastructural development of the oil-producing communities in the state.

“From the above therefore, GIFAD Pan African Organization as a reputable registered Civil activist group regrets the unwarranted attacks by the Ijaw leader Chief E.K Clark on the person of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

“As an NGO saddled with the responsibilities of putting checks and balances and monitoring government policies, projects and budget implementation, we are more informed on the massive development projects executed by Gov Okowa’s led Government.

“We thereby declare that these allegations by Chief E.K Clark are untrue, false and malicious damage on the person, the character and good name of His Excellency Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

“The Elder statesman at Arise TV mentioned that the former Governor Okowa spent the money building a University in his village. Does the Governor’s Village not part of Delta State? Didn’t the Governor built in another part of State?

“The Elder statesman Chief E.K Clark also mentioned in his letter to the EFCC as claimed, that Gov Okowa has 13 companies. That’s unfortunate, as such is unfounded and a big deceit to Nigerians especially the good people of Delta State

“The issue of the N1.767 trillion 13% Derivation monies as claimed by Elderstateman is not correct, as DESOPADEC is well funded. Projects executed and scattered over Delta State is a physical manifestation and evidence of massive infrastructural Development by Governor Okowa’s led Government.

“So, Okowa has not embezzled any Delta State money or used same for personal gains rather for execution of projects all over Delta State and alleviation of poverty of Deltans which is even accounted for in his handover notes/ documents” to the new Governor.

“GIFAD Pan Africa thereby appealed to His Excellency, the immediate past Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa not to reply to the Elder statesman, he is the father of the State, as such he can’t take away the respect the Deltans have for him.

“The truth is that he Chief E. K Clark has vision limitations, hence people around him reads to him, as such, some political actors who are enemies of the State uses the advantage to misled the Elderstateman and fed him with wrong information and perceptions as they sees Gov. Okowa’s achievements as unprecedented.

“This Organization will do everything within the law to defend the immediate past Governor for his good name and hard- works not to be rubbished.

“And will seek the help of other Organizations under the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Peace and Unity of Nigeria ( CCSOPUN) and will follow up on the Chief E.K Clark’s petition at EFCC, because, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has done very well to the good people of Delta State across the 25 Local Government Areas of the three Senatorial Districts and should not be paid back with evil, intimidation and falsehood due to the fact that he did not service the personal interest of some political Leaders in the State.”