E K CLARK/OKOWA: LET THE CONVERSATION CONTINUE ..OKOWA SHOULD SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ~ ANIOMA YOUTHS
“Let the conversation continue”, the President General of Anioma Youth Forum World Wide, Comrade Nnamdi Okwufulueze -Ofonye asserted. In his reaction to the ongoing face-off between Chief E K Clark and the immediate past Governor of Delta State. Comrade Nnamdi Ofonye in an exclusive interaction with NigeriaOnline24 and reacting to the prayers of some Youth Leaders in Delta state, led by Comrade Agbateyiniro, who met with Traditional Rulers for a truce. He maintained that it was unnecessary calling for a cease fire.The assertive communication veteran stated emphatically that Chief E K Clark, aside being within his right to call for accountability from a public servant, has raised a veritable question that demands that Dr Okowa and his government put the record straight. “Chief James Ibori went to jail and heaven did not fall, heaven wouldn’t fall with the call for Governor Okowa to give account” , he said.
“I am not aware, I was not consulted neither is my group into any of such. Well it could be those prompted by Dr Okowa. Invariably, it could be an arm of PDP, probably PDP youth wing just masquerading as such. Okowa is not the first person to be called to give account. He was the immediate past Governor, and as such Pa E K Clark or any other person in the state reserves the right to X-ray his eight years and make statements. So coming to gauarge any person is out of place. On a very good day, we Anioma Youths are supposed to stand by him if it was necessary.
But so far, Chief E K Clark reserves the right to free speech, it has not warranted us taking sides or not taking side. Chief James Ibori after his eight years went to jail, heaven did not fall. If Dr Okowa knows that what Chief E K Clark is saying is not true, he should set the record straight and not by galvanizing the youth in defense. We are not Party to this. If it gets to the extent that we need to get involved, we will. We don’t side unnecessarily, neither do we shy away if it is imperative.
When Ijaw Youths threatened Ms Lauretta Onochie, we did not hesitate to bare our minds because that was out of place. But for a critical stakeholder in the state; be it Ijaw person, Urhobo person, Itsekiri, Isoko or Anioma person, reserves the right to make statements. Even myself, I reserve the right to come out tomorrow and say I want to assess Dr Okowa’s eight years and make statement either in support of his administration or disagree with his administration, I have the right. It is my right, except I deliberately set out to defame him or just assassinate his character, then that is bad and people will say no no no, that is bad.”
Let the conversation continue.. we might find some hidden truth
~ Comrade Ofonye
“For the youths, it is also in their rights to take sides. It could be as a result of inducements, it could be prompted by loyalty or whatever. In all, as youths, we must be circumspect, we must and should react from a larger perspective, because it is our state. Who knows, we might be finding out some hidden truths or some hidden lies.
I think it is a conversation. Let the conversation go on, yes, let the conversation continue. We are following up, we are listening to both. If his excellency, Dr Okowa knows that Chief E K Clark is in the wrong, let him set the record straight.”
“On the other hand, the young man saying he is speaking on behalf of Delta Youths, should desist from that. He can say he is speaking for his group, he is not speaking for all of us, myself inclusive. I was not consulted I don’t even know what that is about.”
Last week a youth group described as Delta State Ethnic Nationality Youth Forum, led by Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro met with the Delta state Charman of Traditional Rulers Council, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom; HRM Maj. Gen(Rtd) Felix Mujakperuo .
Comrade Agbateyiniro had prayed the traditional rulers to intervene in the ongoing disagreement between the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and a former National Commissioner and elder statesman, Chief E K Clark.
Chief E K Clark had alleged that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa misappropriated the funds meant for Oil Producing communities . The elder statesman was equally alleged to have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the matter.
