- History Will Remember Him As Gallant Defender Of Niger Deltans’ Rights-Tinubu
- Atiku, Obi, Obasanjo, Others Mourn
While Nigeria and indeed many Nigerians were still in the mourning mood of the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, one of the leaders of Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba socio-political group, the country was once again thrown into mourning when the news of the death of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark filtered in.
Pa Clark’s death was announced in a statement by his family on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
This development has triggered a deluge of tributes from different quarters with many notable Nigerians falling over themselves to pay their tributes.
Leading the tributes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a condolence message signed by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga said he received the news of Clark’s passage with soberness.
“Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues were distinct and patriotic,” he said.
“History will remember him as a man who fought gallantly for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, unity in diversity, and true federalism,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying.
“I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability”.
Describing Clark as a man of conviction, Tinubu said the educationist “believed in a united Nigeria, and until his last breath, he never stopped reaching out to people from different parts of the country to work together to preserve national unity based on justice and equity.
“As an astute politician, his political opponents never doubted his words’ weight, confidence, and conviction when he spoke. Indeed, a patriot has transitioned to the great beyond.”
The Nigerian president said the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) will be remembered as one who “fought gallantly for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, unity in diversity, and true federalism”.
“I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability,” Tinubu added.
On his part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, also described the death of Chief Clark as a great loss to Nigeria.
He lamented that Nigeria was yet to recover from the demise of exemplary statesman Pa Ayo Adebanjo, 96 when the sad news of Pa Clark’s passing was brought to his attention.
Atiku said, “Chief Edwin Clark, 97, the Ebi-Ebekekere, Owei of Western Ijaw in Delta State, was a Trojan war horse in the battlefields for independence. Above all, he was a diehard proponent of nation-building, true federalism, equity, and good governance.
“Undoubtedly, he was a veteran freedom fighter, educationist, philanthropist, legal luminary, and astute administrator who mentored many nationalists and patriots like us.
“Clark spoke loudly and worked assiduously in support of inclusiveness, especially for the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. He was fiery, fearless, and forthright in his peaceful and constitutional pursuit of an egalitarian society in our country. Sadly, that lofty dream seemed to have dimmed before his eyes.
“But, we, his mentees, shall rekindle the torch and continue the drive for a better Nigeria.
“Between 1953 and 1983, Clark paid his dues from the ebb of the ladder at the local government level up to becoming a State Commissioner and even a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic.
“I sincerely share in the grieving mood of his nuclear and extended families, particularly PANDEF, the Ijaw nation, Delta State, and Nigeria in its entirety.
“Rest on Pa Clark, the loud voice of reason against foul political practices. You were an architect of rule of law, justice, and fair play.
“May God receive your gentle soul and allow you to blissfully rest in eternity.”
On his part, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, noted that the late leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum lived and died for Nigeria.
In a post of his X platform, Obi extended his condolences to the entire Clark family.
“Still in the mourning mood of the death of our revered father and leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, today, I received another rude shock of the death of another respected elder statesman and revered father figure, Chief Edwin Clark.
“On behalf of my family and the Obidient movement, I extend our sincere sympathies to the entire Clark Family and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
“Chief Clark was a towering figure in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape and remained in the vanguard of the struggle for peace, justice, equity, and fairness in the nation.
“He remained vehemently vocal in his demand for good governance in the nation.
“He was a true patriot whose desire for a better nation manifested in his immeasurable contributions to the nation.
“I will always cherish his support for my Presidential Campaign.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Mourns Edwin Clark, Hails His Courage In Face Of Injustice
“His bold endorsement of my presidential journey highlights his passionate desire for a New Nigeria that promotes peace, progress, productivity, equity, and fairness.
“Chief Clark will always be remembered as a symbol of courage, truth, resilience,, and patriotism.
“His death remains a profound loss to the nation.
“I extend my condolences to the entire Ijaw Kingdom, the government, and the people of Delta State for this loss.
“May God grant them, and all of us in Nigeria, the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss. May God grant him eternal rest and continue to protect and bless his family always”.
Similarly, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that Chief Edwin Clark had an eventful service to the nation as Commissioner for Education and Finance in the former Midwestern State, at various times between 1968 to 1974, and his stint as the official spokesman of the Federal Government in 1975 cannot go unrecognised.
According to the former President: “I received yet another shocking and sad news of the passing of a great brother and friend, a frontline lawyer, a seasoned economist, a tested administrator, an accomplished politician and a revered community leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
READ ALSO: Elder Statesman Edwin Clark Dies At 97
“It was shocking because we lost Chief Ayo Adebanjo, another prominent and illustrious son of Nigeria, just about four days ago. Indeed, the ranks of the nation’s patriotic leadership is fast depleting by the loss of our dedicated and resourceful patriots who served the nation in various capacities, particularly at this crucial state in our nation’s history when their wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Clark had an eventful service to the nation as Commissioner for Education and Finance in the former Midwestern State, at various times between 1968 to 1974, and his stint as the official spokesman of the Federal Government in 1975 cannot go unrecognised. I remember him as a close colleague in the Cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon.
Obasanjo stressed that “over the years, Chief Clark was imbued with an undying love for his people and remained one of the more articulate and vocal champions of improved conditions for the oil-bearing States of the country. As one of the foremost leaders of not only the Ijaw people but the South-South zone as a whole, he, until his death, exhorted his people on the imperative of peace and stability in the region.
“He acquitted himself as a peace-loving, unassuming, and committed patriot. He was a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.
“Even at his prime age, Chief Clark never rested on his oars to continue to contribute to national development as a committed nationalist. I recall some time in 2021, he, for the greater good of the nation, volunteered to be part of the Committee for Goodness of Nigeria (CGN) which was convened by me along with His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan and General Abdusalami Abubakar to look, at the time, into the pressing issues of national unity, security, peace, integration, economic revitalization and development, women and youth welfare and general progress. For all I knew about him since our paths crossed, Chief Clark never, for once, rested on his oars in exhibiting uncommon courage and commitment to progressive ideals in his contributions to the socio-political development of our country and national discourse.
“There is no doubt that just as his death must have, of necessity, elicited grief and confoundment in the family, in the Niger-Delta Region, it must have also in the good people of our great nation particularly at a time when the country still needed his wealth of experience, wisdom and counsel. We thank God, however, that Chief Clark lived a long and God-fearing life, full of service to Nigeria and its people and left behind the virtues of hard work and transparency in public life which are important lessons for both the present and future generations. We should also be consoled by the facts that he lived a life worthy of communal emulation, touched the soul of his community, and he is mourned by all.
“We pray the Good Lord to grant the soul of Chief Clark a peaceful rest and the Clark family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
