Ijaw National Leader, Ek Clark Rejects Uduaghan’s Birthday Car Bribe

The political waters of Delta state is becoming too hot for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as foremost Ijaw National leader, Chief E.K. Clark out rightly rejected a car (Birthday) bribe given to him by Governor Uduaghan.

Chief Clark is rejecting the brand new 'EXPEDITION KING RANCH EST 1853 FORD car delivered to him Thursday, July 22, 2010 by one Dr. Mike Oberabor as a result of his political stand in the state.

It would be recalled that governor Uduaghan had recently bribed 27 out of the 29 members of the state Assembly with cars (Jeeps).

The Governor's bribe however eluded two members of the house namely Mr. Abel Oshevire, representing Ughelli constituency 11 and Mr. Friday Onodjae, representing Ughelli constituency I as a result of their political romance with his (Uduaghan) political opponent in the person of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during Chief James Ibori's administration, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege.

Chief Clark while rejecting the governor's 'Greek' gift a press release issued to Journalists stressed that because of his position in the politics of Delta state, he had no option than to reject the Greek birthday present.

The Chairman of Delta state Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum also revealed that accepting the gift from will send down bad and wrong signals of betrayal of trust to his unrelenting supporters across the state and out side.

Some prominent Delta Politicians described the car rejection as a welcome development and the best thing that has ever happened in the politics of the state.

First to react, Chairman, National Central Working Committee of the Delta state Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Richard Tosanwumi said “It is not surprising to hear that Dr. Uduaghan has offered Chief EK Clark a car bribe because of 2011 guber elections in Delta state. He is very desperate to retain the governor's seat but clearly the odds are against him. Chief Clark knows how best to deal with this matter in the present circumstances as our national leader. For us in the opposition, Uduaghan's time up. He should pack his bag and leave government house after his disastrous rule. We are fed up with the looting of our treasury by the cabal he now leads. Deltans will not be deceived again. Chief Clark is a man of integrity and honour.”

Also reacting, Chief Olori Magege former strong supporter of Mr. Peter Okocha, 2007 Delta state AC governorship candidate opined that “Chief Clark is free to accept or reject any gift especially if it's Greek gift. 2011 is the date of reckoning for Uduaghan. His score card will be read and evaluated by Deltans including papa Clark. I can tell you right away what my score is. His time was a disaster never to be repeated again.”

Comrade Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, 2007 Delta state Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate has this to say “It's strictly PDP affair. It is traditional for governors and Presidents of PDP and political parties to send gifts to their godfathers and leaders. If he rejected it, he has his reasons.”

Also, Former state Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance, Prince Obaro Unuafe queried “What is wrong in the benevolence of a jeep to Chief EK Clark, one of our foremost elders who have contributed so much to the development of the Niger Delta region? After Delta state legislators and other aides of the governor have recently been given exotic jeeps. Have their contributions to state developments been as much as that of respected Chief.”

The elder statesman and foremost Ijaw national leader, Chief E.K. Clark had Kiagbodo during the commission of a skill acquisition centre told Uduaghan that it is not in his nature to support any thing bad noting that at his age it will amount to a disservice to the Nation and Delta State if he joins other to sing praises when things are bad.

Chief Clark, however said though the process that brought governor Uduaghan could be flawed, but nothing stops Uduaghan from trending the part of honour by doing the right thing and writing his name in gold adding that surprisingly the governor had failed to catch in on the opportunity to right the wrong.

But reacting to the development yesterday, Governor Uduaghan denied giving a car gift or present to Chief Clark.

The governor who spoke through his Communications Manager, Mr. Paul Odili, said the EK Clark Foundation sometime ago wrote to the governor for support and persuaded by the ideals of the Foundation, a donation of N18 million was made to it.

According to Mr. Odili the governor did not know whether the Foundation decided to buy a car with the money for the octogenarian elder statesman or not. “The governor did not buy any car for Clark. The car displayed by him did not come from the governor.”