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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.”
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been summoned to the Nigerian Po,ice Force headquarters to face criminal investigation.
In a letter dated 4th April and signed by Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, said he was directed by the Inspector General of Police to invite the Emir for questioning for violating Durbar ban.
A copy of the letter sighted by CAPITAL POST indicated that Sanusi led a Durbar processing to the Government House to pay homage despite the ban which the Police expressed security concerns.
The urged Emir Sanusi Lamido to appear on Tuesday,b8th April, 2025.
Sanusi reportedly led a procession in car as against the usual horses in which a 20-year old in the entourage was arrested and detained.
Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio has accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Elisha Abbo of being united I coordinated attacks against him lately.
He stated this following Natasha’s claims during a rally in her Kogi Central Senatorial District that he recruited the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to assassinate her outside Abuja.
At the rally on Tuesday 1st April, 2025 which was monitored by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, Natasha accused the former Governor Yahaya Bello, having been contacted late in the night of March 12, 2025 to orchestrated ‘recall and assassination’ of her outside Abuja.
Natasha said she has intelligence reports that when she is killed in her Constituency, “it will look as if it’s her people that killed her.”
Though Bello was yet to issue a statement debunking the allgations or otherwise, Senate President on his part denied the allegation and described it as falsehood and inflammatory.
Reacting in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publici, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh on Friday, Akpabio accused former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial, Elisha Abbo of toeing the similar part of blackmail, saying barely 24 hours later, on April 2, 2025, Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously withdrawn claim that Senator Akpabio “manipulated the judiciary” to secure his removal from the Senate.
The statement said: “Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.
“His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North.
“In a further twist, Mr. Abbo also alleged that he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President. This, too, is categorically false. Entitlements such as salaries and allowances are processed strictly through administrative and legal procedures.
“The Senate President does not and cannot unilaterally approve or deny such requests. Any delays or rejections would have been based solely on due diligence and compliance with established protocols.
“The timing, tone, and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign. These individuals—backed by undisclosed interests—appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred. As a statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric.
“Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm, are underway to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.
“We call on the Nigerian public in particular and the International Community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives. The Senate, under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, remains focused on its constitutional mandate: to promote legislative excellence, safeguard democratic values, and deliver meaningful progress for the Nigerian people”, the statement concluded.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed heartfelt sympathy over the demise of Hon. Suleiman Muhammed, the Kogi East Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a condolence message to the family of the deceased and members of the APC in Kogi state, described the sudden passing of the APC Zonal chairman as a loss not only for the party in Kogi East but the entire APC family in the state.
According to the Governor “The late Hon. Suleiman Muhammed was a man of peace, humility, and one who demonstrated commitment to the service of the state and the APC as a party. He carried the aspirations of his people with dignity; his leadership was widely respected and his contributions deeply valued within and beyond the APC in Kogi East”.
“He was instrumental in strengthening party cohesion and promoting inclusive dialogue. His presence in every party engagement brought stability and thoughtful leadership to our consultations in the zone.”
Governor Ododo further noted that Hon. Suleiman’s calm temperament, sense of fairness, and ability to listen distinguished him as a unifying figure in the party.
The Governor also extends condolences to the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of the APC in the state, the people of Dekina local government area and the entire Kogi East Senatorial District.
He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanatul Firdaus.
The late APC zonal chairman who served as the APC coordinator in Odu Ward 2 before becoming the zonal chairman of the party in Kogi East died at the age of 45 and has been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
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