E.K Clark Shuns President Jonathan's Visit To Delta

ASABA, June 21, (THEWILL) - It’s not over until it’s over even as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State perceived that alleged political wrangling between him and President Goodluck Jonathan and other political heavy weights in the state is over with the Saturday one day working visit of Dr. Jonathan to the state.

The conspicuous absence of the Ijaw National Leader and Chairman of the Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark indicates that all is not still well with Governor Uduaghan despite the comments of the state Commissioner of Information, Mr. Oma Djebah while briefing the Press that the visit of Mr. President to the state has shown that all is well with the Governor Uduaghan led government.

THEWILL learnt from reliable party sources in Asaba that Chief Clark was told by the state government that his security could not be guaranteed in Oghara, James Ibori’s hometown, where the President commissioned two projects.

It was also observed that Niger Deltan repented militant leader, Chief Government Ekpumopolo (AKA Tompolo) was absent during the President’s visit.

Also noticeably absent in Asaba was the Minister of the Niger Delta, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe who was seen at the Airport in Benin on the President’s arrival at the airport but chose to stay away from Asaba.

However the visit of the number one citizen could be said to be a political gimmick following past scenario before President Jonathan was confirmed acting president where Governor Uduaghan was said to have joined forces with other governors against the emergence of Dr. Jonathan as acting president then.

Some PDP members who chose to remain unnamed told THEWILL in Asaba that the coming of Mr. President does not mean that the coast is clear for Governor Uduaghan because according to the party members, two projects are not enough to drag a President to a state mostly when they were initiated by another government and completed by your government. "The governor just dragged the President to the state just to show off that he is in the good book of Mr. President but they are all games. Coming to the state does not mean that Mr. President cannot pay back the governor over his stand when he was to be confirmed as an acting president coupled with the sins of his cousin, Chief James Ibori who made Uduaghan a governor. As the 2011 elections draws closer, Deltans and indeed the World at large are watching," they stated.

Governor Uduaghan before his speech at the reception raised a Christian song which says "This is thy day our lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it, this is thy day, this is thy day our lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it."

THEWILL could not reach Chief Clark or the Elder Orubebe for comments as at press time.