Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF) , and Southern and Middle Belt Forum, Chief Edwin Clark has asked the Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to step down as the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate .
Addressing newsmen at his Asokoro residence in Abuja in a letter dated February 2, 2023, addressed to Okowa,Clark stated that Governor Okowa committed a grave offence by going contrary to the resolutions of southern governors and other stakeholders that no politician from the South should accept to be running mate to a northerner.
The elder Statesman also asked the Delta governor to tender an unreserved apology to Southern Nigeria before stepping down as the running mate to Atiku.
The letter reads in part
“Perhaps, you (Okowa) have forgotten the gravity of the offence you have committed against the people of Southern Nigeria.
“It is therefore in your own interest to openly apologise to your colleagues of both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and PDP whom you deceived in taking a decision you never believed in.
“After your unreserved apology to your people and Southern Nigeria, you should step down your ambition of becoming Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP. There your honour lies,”
