By Law Igwebuike, Asaba
Former Federal Commissioner for Information and leader of Ijaw ethnic nationality, Senator Edwin Clark, wants to be acknowledged as the leader of Southern Nigeria, but even at his timeworn age, he is double-speaking and giving himself away as an ethnic chauvinist.
Possibly the oldest living politician in Delta State, who swore to have pensioned off from politics, he remains partisan and two-faced, the very opposite of his undertaking.
In a widely publicized interview with a leading Nigerian journalist, penultimate week, Clark said: “I have been unusually quiet on Delta State matters generally, and it is not because I am afraid of anybody.”
Truly, the Ijaw leader had been intentionally quiet for nearly seven years that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been in the saddle because there was really nothing for him to say.
However, in his double-speaking manner, he is bent on bulldozing the Ijaw people in Delta state into a political cul-de-sac because of his clannish narrow-mindedness.
Hiding under ethnic cloak
Clark was asked the simple equation: “Your ethnic nationality, Ijaw, is agitating for 2023 governorship in Delta state. Some people contend they should wait till 2031 in a zoning arrangement by Senatorial district, which PDP plans to make official, this year, and allow Delta Central senatorial district take the slot in 2023, what do you think?
He responded: “It is unfair and unjust to classify me as a tribalist. It is true that I am an Ijaw man but I also have Urhobo, Itsekiri and Isoko blood flowing in my veins and I fully identify with them. But, I hate injustice at all times and at all levels, hence, I have decided to tackle national issues and Delta state issues at the appropriate times. I wish to say categorically that nobody can control the destiny of another person, except God. Therefore, nobody has the power and authority, even in government, to dictate who should or should not contest in 2023 or 2031.”
Clark agrees senatorial power shift better
The penetrating journalist stalked him: “Many think that senatorial power shift arrangement is a better option for governorship power sharing in Delta to the tribal option Ijaw is propagating, do you share this view?
Clark’s answer: “Yes, I agree with you (stressed for emphasis), if adhered to. But unfortunately, in Delta State, this has not been the case with previous experience. For instance, the Urhobo ethnic nationality politically known as Delta Central, has on various occasions violated the national principle stipulated by the PDP convention, by participating in every gubernatorial election in the state since 1999, including Olorogun David Edevbie, who contested with Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in 2015. He was sponsored by the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, and the then governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan…”
From his second retort, Clark agreed with the interviewer that senatorial power shift arrangement is a better option for governorship in the state.
His words again:“Yes, I agree with you if adhered to…”But he quickly added: “Urhobo ethnic nationality politically known as Delta Central, has on various occasions violated the national principle stipulated by the PDP convention….”
Now, nobody is in doubt that politicians from the different ethnic nationalities, including Ijaw, Urhobo and Anioma) in the three senatorial districts of the state, had violated the gubernatorial arrangement of senatorial basis by PDP, but by divine providence, the order has been kept.
Having gone round the three senatorial districts of Delta Central, Delta South and presently in Delta North, the Delta Central, which would have waited for 16 years, should reasonably take over in 2023 from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, after which power would gravitate to Delta South in 2031, which time it would also have waited for 16 years, and Ijaw in Delta South can then lay bold claim. But Clark and his followers are waving ethnic flag.
Always finding fault in others
The Ijaw leader who claims to know all, maintained that the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien and other Delta North (Anioma), monarchs that, recently, endorsed rotation of governorship seat in the state on senatorial basis were collaborators, as they never canvased senatorial power sharing when they came to him in 2014/15 to appeal for their senatorial district to govern the state.
The question is: On what grounds, other than senatorial district, would the Asagba and other Anioma leaders, have canvassed for support when they were not campaigning for a particular governorship candidate, but Delta North senatorial district, at the time.
Anioma monarchs insist on senatorial zoning
Apparently responding to Clark, Wednesday, the Obi of Abavo, HRM Uche Irenuma, speaking for Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, said that zoning on senatorial district basis would guarantee peace, sanctity, equity and sustained unity in diversity among the people of the state.
“We will continue to maintain our stand on rotation on the basis of senatorial districts. The forum will not join issues with anybody or groups on the matter.
“When it gets to your senatorial district, equity and sense of belonging can be used for the overall interest of that district.
“Take for example, Delta northerner is now in Government House Asaba, an Ika man. We believe that when next it returns to our senatorial district, Aniocha, Oshimili or Ndokwa person should be considered.
“Then when it returns to Delta south senatorial district, Isoko or Ijaw will take their turn since Itsekiris already took their turn in the person of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. This will sustain the peace we all are enjoying today,” he stated.
Why is Clark causing confusion?
When Senator Clark declared that rotating power on senatorial basis was better than ethnic arrangement, he knew the truth and what is practicable in the state, why then is he causing confusion?
