PND faults Pa Clark's call on group to promote Otuaro.

 

Project Niger Delta, (PND) a socio-political and  group, has knocked Pa Edwin Clark, over his charge on members of Ijaw Publishers Forum, to protect the interests  of Dr. Dennis Otuaro,  the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP) and launder his image.

According to the group, the comments  by Clark regarding the appointment of  PAP boss should be ignored, as  according to the group, they do not reflect the aspirations of the Ijaw people  insisting that  Pa Clark  should have  understood the concerns regarding the appointment of Dr. Otuaro if he is an Ijaw Elder Statesman.

 According to a statement  on Tuesday by Comrade Princewill Timipre Ebebi, Executive Director/Coordinator of Project Niger Delta,  it stated that  Clark's call for the media (IPF) to support, protect and defend Dr. Otuaro is an attempt to undermine media freedom and possibly influence the office to send students on scholarship to his university.

He noted that it is  a public knowledge that Dr. Otuaro’s appointment did not follow due process, the reason he is helpless and seeking help from all nooks and crannies in the Niger Delta region and beyond. 

The group therefore called on Pa Clark to withdraw his call for supporting his special candidate forthwith, noting that the appointment and supervision to man the PAP office falls under the office of the National Security Adviser stating that  it is only Mr. President that has the  right to appoint whosoever he deems fit.

The statement reads: "The leadership of Project Niger Delta (PND) with other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region unequivocally condemn and strongly reject the recent call  by elder statesman and patriarch of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Pa Edwin K. Clark  on Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) to protect and defend the Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro over his appointment, which we see as coming through the back door.

"Pa Edwin K. Clark's statement should  not be  taken serious because it is a "sheer betrayal and abuse of trust" which the Ijaw nationality  bestowed on him. He  is  'belittling the respect' and honour the Ijaws gave him as elder statesman and patriarch. He has lost that respect amongst his kinsmen and the entire Niger Delta region because of his self-centered thinking.

 "Therefore, he has corroded the high regard the Ijaws have for him by supporting Otuaro who was never the person the Ijaws wanted to occupy that position because he is not there  for the interest of the people.

"Pa. Clark and his cohorts should note that the entire Ijaw people know their antics which have made them to turn the Ijaw struggle to their selfish gains. It has been observed over the years that whenever there is struggle, they will preach Ijaw people are one, but whenever there come benefits only them benefit.

"Pa Clark and his cohorts shared our blessings thereby "merchandizing the destinies" of the Ijaw people. Henceforth, we say no to nepotism practice by Pa. Edwin K. Clark and his cohorts.

"From the foregoing, it is imperative to note that Pa. Edwin K. Clark and his cohort's  protection and defense of  Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s mandate as Presidential Amnesty Programme is placed over  the outcry and suffering of  majority of the Ijaw people in Delta State and beyond including the Ijaw National Congress and Ijaw Youth Council.

 "We therefore, appeal to Mr. President and the National Security Adviser to sack Dr. Dennis Otuaro for security concern." The statement concluded.