Tony Obuh is my son – Clark

The country home of Chief E. K Clark, Kiagbado, Burutu Local Government Area, was set agog last Thursday, when Mr Anthony Chuks Obuh was a guest to officially inform the respected politician of his intention to succeed Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as the Governor of Delta State.

Chief Clark in response to the request of Mr Obuh that he be an adopted son, said inasmuch as the responsibility of choosing the flag bearer of PDP remain the exclusive preserve of the people, he would take him as a son who has shown uncommon trait of humility and wide knowledge of the mechanism of governance.

The former federal commissioner of information said the ‘‘excitable citation of Mr Obuh on my role in government especially on income tax reforms in 1972 has shown he is a man with great experience. I don’t know where he was in 1972 but this is the best citation ever said about me. What you said today is far more than necessary to give me awards.’’

He said he has strong attachments with Agbor people notably, Late Vincent Egbarin, Sir Fortune Ebie, Late Dr. G.O. Orewa and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

‘‘I am close to your people. The father of your Agbor monarch was my friend and the present Dein is close to me. I am happy the Queen Mother is here. Dr. Cairo Ojougboh is my son and I am happy to accept you as my son. This house is yours. Feel free to come here anytime.’’

Chief Clark while noting that he was not going to unilaterally endorse any aspirant stressed his preference for governor who has no handbags that would drag the state backwards.

Earlier, Mr. Obuh in his speech amidst periodic spontaneous applaud due to his in depth knowledge of the intricacies of governance said his decision to contest the governorship position was not borne of ethnic consideration.

‘‘I am here to tell you who is Tony Obuh. I have served about thirty-two years in the state Civil Service as a university graduate. I have occupied various positions including eight years as a Permanent Secretary. My governorship project is not propelled by any individual but a product of a well-thought out consideration. I have been part of the various policies and programmes of the state and I come here to offer myself as the most appropriate person that can sustain them. I am not a candidate of any ethnic group. My plank for aspiration is Delta State. The entire state is my constituency.

I am here to accept me as your son who is willing and capable of promoting and projecting the ideas that have made a centre-piece. There is no doubt; people beyond this area come to you for blessing because they know what you stand for. I wish to lead a government that should look beyond oil as our mainstay because the product is exhaustible. I have developed a policy blueprint to meet the needs of our people. It will be a government that instils confidence in the people’’, he said.

Hon Monday Igbuya, while introducing Mr. Anthony Obuh, said: ‘‘I am here on behalf of the convener of Delta United for Tony Obuh, Chief Ayiri Emami.  We are here to introduce a groom who has identified a beautiful bride in this house. We will return later to take this bride with President Jonathan. Tony Obuh is the most handsome and qualified to have this bride.’’

Mr. Tony Obuh, who resigned from public service last month was accompanied to Kiagbado by serving commissioners, state legislators and other prominent Deltans including Major General Nick Agbogun(retired), Hon Missan Kubeinje, Chief Faith Majemite, Judith Enamutor, Hon Olise Imegu, Barr Frank Nwaugu, Chief J.E.Imudia, Mr. Dan Usifoh, Hon Junty Okwudi, Mr. Tonnie Egun and Mr. Emma Okafor.