Says it is a ‘Greek gift’
By Henry Umoru, Abuja

ABUJA: FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark has   rejected the Expedition Ford Jeep given to him by the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, describing it as a ‘Greek gift’.

According to the Elder statesman, it became imperative for him to return the car to the governor because of his stand in Delta State politics, just as he expressed his gratitude to the governor for the gesture.

No official of the Delta State Government was availble for comment yesterday.

A statement signed yesterday in Abuja by Chief Clark’s Political Adviser, Chief Omonimini Chris Obiuwevbi   said, “On Thursday July 22, 2010 at about 3.30pm some persons in the name of the Delta State government brought an unregistered Expedition new Ford Jeep into the compound of Chief (Dr.) E.K. Clark in Asokoro, Abuja.

One of the persons later came to inform Chief Clark that the car was a Birth Day ‘Gift’ from Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan of Delta State.

“While Chief Clark expressed his gratitude to Governor Uduaghan for this kind gesture, he wishes to state categorically that this ‘greek gift’ is unacceptable considering his stand on the state of political affairs in Delta State and the misrepresentation of facts this “Greek Gift” may raise from his teeming supporters, followers and the Delta State Elders, Leaders and stakeholders Forum of which he is their National Leader.

“Chief Clark has therefore rejected this Greek Gift publicly in order to put the records straight and dispel any rumour that may arise out of this unsolicited gift”.

When Vanguard sought to know who were these persons that brought the vehicle, it was disclosed that Dr. Michael Oberabor brought it to the premises on behalf of the state government.

It would be recalled that Chief Edwin Clark has been in  opposition to the Uduaghan led government especially from the point of view of the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that is loyal to the governor, just as Chief Clark marked his 83rd birthday, 25th May, 2010.

Also on Wednesday, the elder statesman led the Delta State Leaders and Stakeholders Forum of the State PDP on a visit to the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo at Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the Party where he raised issues and problems confronting the state chapter of the party.

In the letter he presented to the National Chairman, Chief Clark urged him to dissolve the Peter Nwaoboshi led state executive and appoint a caretaker committee that will conduct a fresh ward, local government and state congresses. The letter was jointly signed by Patrick Ideh, Senator Francis Okpozo and D.I.G Ugbuaja(DIG).

Part of the letter read, “at a recent meeting of the Delta State Elders, leaders and Stakeholders Forum of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, it was resolved by members of the party from the three Senatorial districts of Delta Stare, that we should pay a Solidarity visit to your Excellency on your appointment as the new National Chairman of our great party.

“While we congratulate you on your onerous assignment, we wish to use this occasion to draw your attention to some of the problems bedeviling Delta State PDP; PDP congresses have not been held in Delta State since 2008 as confirmed by the political parties monitoring Committee of INEC. This was also attested to by the then Delta State PDP Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi through a press release dated the 25th day of February,2008.

“From the foregoing, we appeal to your excellency in the interest of fairplay, equity and Justice to dissolve the illegal PDP Executive in Delta state and appoint a Caretaker Committee which will conduct a fresh ward, local government and state congresses”.