Okowa’s Victory Was Clark’s Dream, Says Otuaro

Delta State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro says Almighty God preserved Elder Statesman, South-South Leader and foremost Ijaw leader, Pa Chief Edwin Clark for more than  “the strategic role he played” in re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who promised Ijaw a better deal.

Otuaro spoke at the Kiagbodo country home of Pa Clark who hosted the Mr J.T. Government-led Delta Ijaw Political Assembly (DIPA) to a celebration of victory of Okowa/Otuaro and all PDP candidates in the just-concluded polls.

At the ceremony preceded by a Thanksgiving Service at same venue attended by Hon. Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State,  Governor Okowa said Ijaw nation alone contributed more than 25% of votes to his resounding victory at the 2019 gubernatorial polls.

“This electoral gesture will not be forgotten, Ijaw’ll not be neglected. My administration has constructed roads in riverine areas. What we did in the Ijaw areas is small to what we’ll see towards 2023. This is what Governor Okowa asked me to tell you”, said Hon Tam Brisibe, Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, who represented Governor Okowa unavoidably absent.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bayelsa Governor, represented by Amb. Godknows Igali, charged Ijaw political office holders to work closely with Okowa/Otuaro to raise Ijaw developmental tempo.

Pa Clark who prayed God to strengthen Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy said he was happy the Ijaw nation in Delta is on path of political growth, stressing: “We now have Ijaw as Deputy Governor and a House of Assembly member from Warri axis where a councillor was once difficult”.

Otuaro, who chairs the Board of Trustees of DIPA said Pa Clark revealed to him in private discussion that “he (Pa Clark) appreciates that God has kept him alive because he still has strategic role to play on the national space, the South-South region and for our dear Ijaw nation.

“In apparent deference to the divine assignment, Pa Clark played a strategic role in the re-election of the Okowa/Otuaro gubernatorial ticket. The focus of DIPA, is to consolidate the gains of the Okowa-led administration and project the Ijaw political future. We thank all, especially Pa Clark for his support and wisdom”, Otuaro said.

“Our celebration today is occasioned by our collective commitment to the DIPA objective we set for ourselves. As Ijaws, we resolved and spoke in one voice as evident in the votes we churned out in the Warri North, Warri South, Warri South-West, Bomadi, Burutu and Patani local areas.”, he added.

Story contributed by Bulou Kosin