By Etop Ekanem

Abeokuta—Elder statesman and national leader of the Ijaw, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday revealed that he was one of those who asked Prince Buruji Kashamu to contest for the Ogun East senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

EDWIN CLARK

Chief Clark, who disclosed this while addressing party leaders and faithful at the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre, said he was buoyed by “Buruji’s commitment to justice and his love for the party and President Goodluck Jonathan,” adding that Kashamu is “a very intelligent person who has got the resources. He cannot be bought over by anyone.”

He said he asked him to go to the National Assembly so that he will be able to continue to defend the interest of the party at the upper chamber.

Clark recalled the role played by Prince Kashamu and others in stabilising the PDP for President Goodluck Jonathan when those he called “the Gang of 7 rose against the President.”

He said he was not surprised at the crowd that came to welcome him despite the a 24 hours notice because, according to him, he knows Kashamu’s capacity.

Responding, Prince Kashamu expressed his gratitude to Chief Clark for visiting Ogun State and Ijebu Igbo, in particular.

He said the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre was not built as a commercial venture but a place for strategic political meetings and empowerment initiatives.

Kashamu informed the octogenarian that former Governor Gbenga Daniel sent his apologies for not being around to receive him as earlier planned owing to a situation that occurred yesterday morning and that he needed to personally attend to issues outside the state.

Chief Clark, who had been earlier received at the State PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta, by Aare Tunde Alabi, State Secretary, Alhaji Semi Sodipo and Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi, among other party stalwarts, paid homage to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, alongside his wife, Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Clark, who is the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District.

The royal father noted that Mrs Sodipo-Clark was a true daughter of Egbaland and that her father was a member of the House of Representatives in the First Republic, adding that she was qualified to represent Ogun Central at the red chamber.

He prayed for her and wished her well in her endeavours.

Among the dignitaries who received the elder statesman were the PDP governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; his deputy, Prince Tunde Makanjuola; State Chairman, Adebayo Dayo; party leaders, such as Chief Kola Ogunjobi, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, Otunba Adeleke Adedoyin, Chief Pegba Otemolu, Chief Fatai Ajibode, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, Comrade Niyi Osoba and Mrs. Ibilola Solaja, among others.