By Luka Binniyat
ABUJA — A group  of young entrepreneurs from the South South and South East geo-political zones, yesterday, asked all who have  politically fallen apart with former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to mend fences with him.

The young professionals, under the aegis of South South/South East Group, SSEDG, specifically  called on Chief Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader, who had been politically estranged from Uduaghan,  to forgive the former governor, saying he should consider Uduaghan as his own son.

The group said opportunists and fifth columnists were to blame for the feud between the two men, noting that Uduaghan was now more matured and sober.

The group in a statement issued in Abuja, and signed by its President, Prince Elias Odoemena, said “being human, Uduaghan, who will soon re-contest  the post of governor of Delta State might have made mistakes.

“He might have also  taken positions that were not agreeable to the Ijaw leader’s, and perhaps other stakeholders in the state.

“But we know that  Uduaghan holds Chief Clark in the highest esteem as a leader, father and elder statesman, whose contribution to national development and the well-being of Delta State cannot be quantified.

“We are, therefore, pleading with  the Ijaw national leader to show love and understanding to Uduaghan, who is like a son to him.”

The association noted that a father had the right to be angry with a son and even chastise him, adding that as a father, Chief Clark should also forgive and re-admit his son (Uduaghan) back into his affection and presence.

The group blamed “opportunists and fifth columnists” for the misunderstanding between Dr. Uduaghan and Chief Clarke, adding that “the reason for all this is because under Uduaghan, Delta State is working and this is not in the interest of these opportunists who can only thrive in an atmosphere of discord and ill_ will.”

The SSEDG urged the Ijaw leader to withdraw his opposition to the ambition of Dr. Uduaghan to win back his seat as governor of Delta state in the re_ run elections to be held soon, on the grounds that recent events in the state had made Dr. Uduaghan more matured, humble and determined to accelerate development in the state as he has done in the last couple of years.

Citing the many development projects and empowerment schemes embarked upon by Dr. Uduaghan as governor of Delta State, the group said as a national leader who wanted the best for his people, Chief Clarke would not want such positive strides to waste or abandoned midway.

It stressed that Chief Clarke’s support for Dr. Uduaghan was the best way to guarantee that Delta State would continue to excel.