Ex-Delta Gov Ifeanyi Okowa Opens Up After EFCC Detention

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has denied any fraudulent activity following his recent detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a statement from his media aide, Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa emphasized that the EFCC had failed to establish any evidence of wrongdoing against him. Addressing the recent allegations involving the diversion of N1.3 trillion from oil derivation funds, Okowa dismissed the claims as “ludicrous” and “outlandish.” He clarified that he had voluntarily reported to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt to clear his name and respond to petitions filed by what he described as “disgruntled elements.” “The EFCC has not established any case against Dr. Okowa,” he stated, stressing that these accusations were based on “unsubstantiated claims” from individuals with “malicious, myopic, and prejudiced” motives. Okowa further pointed out that these same allegations had been raised during his tenure as governor. The former governor also refuted accusations of misappropriating state resources, which included claims of acquiring an 80% stake in Premium Trust Bank and diverting funds for housing estates in Asaba and Abuja, as well as two hotels. Okowa emphasized his commitment to transparency and the integrity of his actions while in office. With the EFCC inquiry ongoing, Okowa reiterated that he had nothing to hide and continues to seek justice and clarification.

What I told Tinubu about Wike, Fubara fight – Edwin Clark

Elder statesman Edwin Clark said he has advised President Bola Tinubu to give Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State a free hand to run his state’s affairs. The Ijaw national leader said this while weighing in on the crisis between Fubara and Tinubu’s appointee, Nyesom Wike, which has engulfed the oil-rich state in the past few months. The crisis has polarised the Rivers State House of Assembly, while many members of Wike’s camp previously appointed by Fubara have quit. “I have advised Mr President (Tinubu) again that he should leave Fubara alone to run his government, Wike should concentrate on his job in Abuja. “Once that is done, there will be peace and stability in the state. But if they do anything contrary and there is no peace, it will affect the economy of the country,” Clark told The Punch. The 97-year-old said elder statesmen like himself have been unable to mediate between Wike and Fubara because of the former’s insistence on controlling the political structure of the state. “How do you bring them together? One man says I have divorced. But you are my house help. There is no way. You are my son. There is no way any outsider can accept him. “This is because Wike does not see anything wrong with him. He believes that he is still controlling the structures in Rivers State whereas those structures have been there from governor to governor. “They don’t belong to one person. Wike was not yet born when Rivers was created,” he said. Clark castigated the Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha for calling on the president to declare a state of emergency in the state over the crisis. “Concerning the call for a declaration of a state emergency, I can tell you that (Tony)nOkocha doesn’t know what he is doing. Who is he to call for that? He was only fortunate to be put there because the existing Rivers APC executives were dissolved in the first place. He knows me very well. “Was he not the chief of staff to (Rotimi) Amaechi when he was governor? They were in the APC together. Wike later took seven of them to see (Dr Abdullahi) Ganduje in Abuja. They formed a (caretaker) committee, and today, he is the chairman of Rivers State APC. So, it was obvious from the start that Okocha didn’t want to be with Amaechi again. “These are the people scattering Rivers State,” he said.

Tinubu Inherited Nigeria’s Worst Government – Edwin Clark

Elder statesman and leader of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), Pa Edwin Clark, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu inherited the worst government in Nigeria’s history. In an interview with the Daily Sun newspaper, Clark shared his views on Tinubu’s performance, stating that one year in office is too early for a proper assessment. He emphasized that Tinubu took over from a government that left significant challenges. Clark remarked, “I think one year is too early. He met the worst government in Nigeria; that is what he inherited. I told him during the June 12 commemoration that there’s nothing to celebrate. What did Buhari’s government ever produce? Continuing with his programs and policies will be difficult.” He expressed confidence that Tinubu could address some of the previous administration’s numerous mistakes and mismanagement issues. “For me, I won’t assess him. He has a lot he is doing now,” Clark added. The 97-year-old Ijaw leader also urged the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, questioning the fairness of his continued detention. “Kanu should be released unless you are holding him because he belongs to the Igbo tribe. The war has been over for about 50 years now; why detain Kanu? It’s unfair. He should be free,” he stated.