Niger Delta leader Edwin Clark don die

Leader of di Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark don die.

One representative of di family, Prof. C. C. Clark na im announce di death of di former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader on Tuesday, 18 February.

Reports say Clark die on Monday, 17 February at di age of 97.

"Di Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wish to announce di passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February , 2025.

"Di family appreciate your prayers at dis time. Di family go announce oda details later," di statement tok.

Edwin Clark Life and Times

Clark death dey come few days afta di passing of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, wey die at di age of 96.

Both Clark and Adebanjo dey known for dia contribution to di political development of Nigeria.

For 2022, Adebanjo and Clark bin attend di Greater Nigeria Conference, wey hold for Abuja, di kontri capital to discuss how di next Nigerian president go come from di Southeast.

Until im passing, Oga Clark bin serve as di leader of di Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Dem born Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark for May 1927 for Kiagbodo, di Ijaw area of wetin now be Delta State.

Di late Oga Clark career spread across several decades, during which e make ogbonge contribution to Nigeria political landscape and di development of di Niger Delta region.

Im political career start for di 1950s wen e actively dey involved for di nationalist movements wey fight for Nigeria independence from di British colonial rule. As a lawyer, e use im legal expertise to challenge colonial policies and later play ogbonge role wey shape regional politics for di then-Midwest region, wey later become part of Delta State.

For di military era (1966 – 1979), Oga Clark remain politically active, as e align imsef wit di goment of Yakubu Gowon. As di Federal Commissioner for Information, e advocate for national unity during a period of great political instability.

Wen Nigeria return to civilian rule for 1979, Oga Clark align imsef wit di National Party of Nigeria (NPN), wey win di elections dat year. As influential figure for di party, e dey involved in policy discussions wey concern oil revenue distribution plus di role of di Niger Delta for national development.

Clark most defining political years na during di Fourth Republic, wey start for 1999 wen Nigeria return to democratic governance. E emerge as di most vocal advocate for di Niger Delta development, wey dey call for resource control, environmental justice, and economic empowerment for di oil-producing states.

E establish di Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and as di leader of di forum, Oga Clark champion di course of resource control, fiscal federalism, and regional development, wey earn am respect across Nigeria geopolitical zones.

Di outspoken Ijaw leader and critic bin serve as senator for three months for 1983 during Shehu Shagari administration.

Beyond im political career, Clark na leading voice for regional and national unity. E also dey known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians for di Niger Delta region.

Recently, e set up one committee to reconcile Rivers state Govnor Siminalayi Fubara and di former govnor of di state Nyesom Wike.

Tributes for Edwin Clark

PANDEF, politicians and ogbonge Nigerians don dey mourn di death of Chief Edwin Clark.

"Mighty Iroko tree" don fall. Na so di Pan Niger Delta Forum take describe di passing of dia founder.

For one statement wey di National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Obiuwevbi Ominimini issue, e highlight Chief Clark ogbonge contributions to public service, politics, and community development for ova 75 years.

"Pa Clark na indeed one ogbonge figure for Nigeria, wey dey known for im tireless advocacy for justice and human rights," di statement tok.

Meanwhile, di Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo wey express sadness on Clark passing, say Clark live a very fulfilled life of service to di kontri.

"Our leader and father don go for time wey we need am di most. Pa Edwin Clark, leader of di South-South, father of di nation and quintessential patriot don die."

Di National Secretary of di Coalition of United Political Parties, Chief Peter Ameh, describe di late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, as a champion of equity and inclusion.

"As a renowned leader and advocate for equity and inclusion, Clark leave permanent mark on di kontri history. Im strong commitment to unity, diversity, and truth inspire generations of Nigerians." Ameh tok for statement.