By SouthernVoicenews
Following a petition written by elder statesman and former federal minister of information, Chief E. k Clark, to the Economic and financial crime commission EFCC, calling for the probe of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, Convener of the Integrity Group, a pressure group in Delta State, Ambassador Oke Idawene, has through a communique issued on Thursday, in Asaba, called on Chief Edwin Clark to stop the incessant attacks on the former Governor, noting that further hostility against the former governor will be resisted by the group.
The position of the group was contained in a communique signed by Ambassador Oke Idawene and the Secretary, Pastor Highness Akporode at the end of an enlarged meeting of the body, pointing out that, “hostility against the former governor is unnecessary because he has paid his dues. Did well for the state and still ready to do more for Delta State and Nigeria.”
The body while frowning at the frequent attacks on past governors of Delta state by Pa Clark, wondered why he always chosed to attack governors when they are out of office rather than speaking out when they are in office.
“When Chief James Ibori left office, Pa Clark went after him with series of petitions that eventually landed him in prison. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan came, and did eight years Pa Clark went after him as he has to face over 700 court cases and as we speak, Pa Clark has started attacking former governor Ifeanyi Okowa. But the Integrity Group will not keep quiet this time around”.
“We want to advise those working behind the scene, I am referring to those that are deceiving Pa Clark taking advantage of his senility, to pursue their economic interests by attacking former governor Ifeanyi Okowa to stop using Pa Clark as their mouthpiece.
“The World Bank has recently applauded the Okowa’s administration for its transparency in financial management so why the attacks on the governor.? No father destroys his own family. Delta State must be calm like other states. We should shun acts that can cause breach of peace nor heat up the polity we humbly appeal.”
According to the group whose aim was to propagate the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori declared their unflinching support for Oborevwori’s administration noting that no court case can remove the governor from office as he will surely serve two terms of office in the state.
The communique commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on the steps he has taken thus far, applauding the the Governor for the desolution of various boards of agencies as well as his frequent inspection of projects site across the state.
“The leadership consolidation for dividends of democracy has began. Indeed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is a divine mandate. Former governor Okowa is a visionary leader who has given us Sheriff Oborevwori to continue his good works so we should rally round him for the good of our dear state.”
Idawene was a former chairman of Social Democratic Party SDP, in Delta State, but resigned his membership of the party on Friday, May 5, 2023.