Opinions

Clark’s giant cake for Sheriff

Published by

2 years ago

EVERY region has its legendary strongman. Back home, Chief Edwin Clark carries the card. Love him or hate him, the voice of the most prominent Niger Delta elder reverberates to seductive crescendo. Irrepressible in character, the coos of E.K. Clark may not always ring controversial. There are times he rises to the occasion leaving on his trail, applause. Very well. The wise sayings of the old are vital for social good. The moral compass to cheer or chastise a beguiled milieu. The governor of Delta, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, just got a generous letter from the Ijaw -born elder statesman. “My dear son, you have started well”, Clark, Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), wrote to Sheriff over the N78 billion contract recently awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited to transform Delta commercial artery – Warri.

Clark, Second Republic senator and former Federal Minister of Information was effusive in expression of joy and appreciation to the governor: “On behalf of the people of Warri and elders of Warri referred to as ‘Warri Boys’, for what he termed, “the great plan” for the rehabilitation and urban renewal of “our hometown, Warri/Effurun”. Sheriff is festooned with garlands by Clark, particularly for engaging reputable construction giant, Julius Berger. This, according to the sage, portrays sincerity of purpose as pledged in his inaugural gubernatorial speech to give special attention to the famed oil city. The Niger Delta leader overly shared his optimism that Oborevwori “will extend this pattern to other major towns in the state” in executing his development template – M.O.R.E. agenda. Reading Clark’s letter, the most casual observer would decode it as shocking. For a man sceptical of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s backing of Oborevwori as successor, the embrace is daintily instructive.

Strikingly, Clark may appear in some quarters as a poker of controversies, who loves to fish in troubled waters; but he is neither a frivolous undertaker nor an accustomed praise singer. He never dodges from voicing perspectives on critical issues, whether opinionated or altruistic. He bares his mind. Pungent and scarcely patronizing. Clark once described Okowa as a “good product” while on seat, in one of his documented assessment of the immediate past governor. But the old man also recently gave Okowa rough tackles. At other times, he has had a mixed grill of chummy and stormy liaisons with Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as well as Chief James Ibori during their tenures as Governor of the state. Vintage E .K Clark. An icon and iconoclast.

Now that Sheriff is Pa Clark’s melodious song, let Delta rejoice. The elder statesman has not lied. He spoke truth to power and the people. It is trite to say Clark is right. Because the footsteps of Oborevwori, so far, is elegant. He is not faking anything. He is firm. Fastidious in fidelity. Focused on Delta project. He is working well and doing well. An egoless yet assertive enigma is emerging. From Delta South to Delta Central, cascading to Delta North, the governor is on the move; laying solid foundation. A greater Delta is on the horizon. Visible. The even-handed motive of the new Sheriff in town makes Clark’s emotive letter so credible. Kudos Clark. Carry go, Sheriff.