Ijaw National leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called on the Urhobo Ethnic Nationality in Delta State to support the re-election bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the March 9 Governorship election.
Clark, who made the call at a press conference held at his Kiagbodo country home, noted that Okowa had done well in the governance of the state and should be given a second chance to further develop the state.
He urged Deltans, irrespective of their ethnic lineage, to support and vote Governor Okowa on Saturday, adding that it would only be fair to allow Delta North Senatorial District to complete its eight years in office just as Delta Central and South had done.
The former Minister of Information said, “I sincerely appeal to all my Urhobo brothers, sisters, all my children, friends and Urhobo patriots not to deviate from the present arrangement. Let Delta Central wait until 2023 when the governorship slot of the State would return to it.
“I am an Urhobo by all standards, Urhobo blood not only runs in my veins but also its culture and language which have been part of me from birth. The Urhobo I know will stand against injustice, discrimination in building a virile society where though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.
“I trust that great Urhobos like Mukoro Mowoe of blessed memory and many others saw the need to accommodate others in a plural society and this is what leads to Urhobo resurgence and greatness, we cannot compromise these values today. I urge Uhrobos to massively support him in building a virile state of peace, equity and unity.”
While drumming support for Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Clark, who is the Convener and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said the election was not about the governor, but about the peace of the state.
“For the governorship contest in Delta State, I am appealing to all Deltans, politicians and contestants of political offices in Delta State to distance themselves from anything that will cause bloodletting in the State. Delta State under the watch of Senator. Ifeanyi Okowa is peaceful and the government is performing.
“As we collectively go to the polls on March 9, 2019, there are several things which are at stake: our unity and identity as a people, the need to keep the existing understanding and cooperation among the three senatorial districts and wedging a common understanding among the diverse ethnic groups in the state, in ensuring equity and justice, and development of the state.
“Since 1999 we have come a long way as a state and stood as one indivisible people. We cannot afford to fail as a people in ensuring the purpose of unity in diversity, collective aspirations of all Deltans and to aspire to any office based on equity and justice.
“As an elder statesman I belong to no political party. However with many years of meritorious service to my fatherland I deserve the best for my country and my state…I owe it a duty to offer my advice as a father who sees what a child sitting on top of a mountain cannot see.
“The governorship election of Saturday March 9 2019, is not about Governor Okowa, as a person, but it is about the unity of the state, the need to sustain equity and justice so that every senatorial district can have a sense of belonging in peace, political relevance and economic prosperity. This unity is in each senatorial zone having a taste of the governorship of the state to foster understanding and brotherliness that translate to economic and political stability”, he added.
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