Nicholas Kalu, Abuja; Elo Edremoda, Warri; Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led a torrent of tributes for Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark, who died yesterday.

The former Federal Commissioner (minister) for Information and revered leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) was 96.

Clark’s death was announced in a statement by his brother Prof. C. C. Clark for the family and and son Mr. Penawei Clark for the children.

The statement reads: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON  on Monday 17th February 2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

The eldest son of the nonagenarian, Chief Ebikeme Clark, said his father died after experiencing breathing problems.

He said the late Ijaw leader had breathing complications at about 11:30 pm on Saturday and was rushed to the hospital in the very early hours of Sunday.

He said Clark was on admission at a private hospital in Abuja till he passed on.

President Tinubu, former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo; the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen described Clark as a great patriot and nationalist who will be sorely missed.

President Tinubu said Clark’s passing was “a deeply sobering loss”, adding that he dedicated much of his 96 years to public service and advocacy, leaving behind a legacy of political courage and commitment to justice.

In the tribute issue through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said: “Clark was a towering figure whose influence was felt across Nigeria’s political firmament for nearly six decades.

“He was a courageous leader who stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice.”

The President said Clark was a strong advocate for resource control, economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta, a cause he championed tirelessly.

President Tinubu praised Clark’s patriotism and his unwavering commitment to national unity.

“Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues were distinct and patriotic.

“Pa Clark, a lawyer and 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,” the President said.

President Tinubu lauded the weight of Clark’s convictions.

“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.

“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.

“I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability,” President Tinubu said.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on behalf of the Federal Government, described the late Ijaw leader as a distinguished patriot who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s governance, unity, and development.

“His decades of service to the nation in various capacities – as a politician, nationalist, and elder statesman – left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s governance, unity, and development.

“His advocacy, deep reservoir of wisdom, and unwavering commitment to national progress made him an invaluable voice in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“His wise counsel and selfless contributions to nation-building will be sorely missed,” Idris said while extending the Federal Government’s heartfelt condolences.

Former President Buhari described Clark as an “iconic statesman” whose contributions to national development will be long remembered.

In a condolence message issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said Clark’s death was a great loss to the nation.

He noted the late Ijaw leader’s dedication to reforms and unwavering commitment to the progress of both his community and the country.

“Chief Edwin Clark was a leader committed to the unity and development of Nigeria.

“His contributions have left an indelible imprint on the nation’s history,” Buhari said.

He urged Clark’s family, as well as the people of the Delta region, to uphold his legacy and honour the numerous achievements of the elder statesman.

Obasanjo bemoaned the depleting ranks of the nation’s patriotic leaders, particularly when their wise counsel and rich experience were greatly needed.

He said the late former Federal Commissioner was a great brother and friend, a frontline lawyer, a seasoned economist, a tested administrator, an accomplished politician and a revered community leader.

In the message through his Special Assistant on Media Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President said: “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 are 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.

“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 Southsouth 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.

“Ever since, he built for himself an impressive profile of immense goodwill and affection among his people, as a frontline politician and community leader.

“Nevertheless, his thoughts, utterances, and deeds were completely devoid of political partisanship. He was a detribalized Nigerian and had friends from all over the country.

“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 fact that he lived a life worthy of communal emulation, touched the soul of his community, and is mourned by all.”

Ex-President Jonathan described Clark as a bridge-builder and patriot.

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, he said the late elder statesman was a father figure, peerless icon and relentless crusader for justice who devoted his life to the betterment of society.

Dr. Jonathan said the late Ijaw leader inspired different generations of leaders, including himself, during his lifetime.

“Chief E.K. Clark was not just a father figure to me but a peerless icon of Nigeria’s political landscape, a voice of reason and a relentless advocate for justice, equity and unity.

“His was a life of selfless service, unwavering courage and an unyielding commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.

“His wisdom, foresight and dedication to the principles of fairness and good governance inspired generations of leaders, including myself.

“He was a man of integrity, a bridge-builder, and a patriot who devoted his life to the betterment of our society,” Jonathan said while recalling Clark’s invaluable counsel and support during his tenure as president of Nigeria.

He commiserated with the immediate family, friends and associates of the elder statesman.

NGF, in a statement by its Chairman/Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said in losing Clark after Adebanjo, Nigeria lost outstanding voices who were never afraid to offer their views on issues of national importance.

“The forum recalls that the duo played critical roles in the evolution of the country’s democracy, constitutional development, and the discourse around its federal system vis-a-vis topical issues of resource control and the rights of ethnic minorities.

“The NGF sends its heartfelt condolences to the people and governments of Southwest and Southsouth, especially Ogun and Delta states, and the families of the statesmen on these sad developments.

“The forum prays for the repose of their souls, saying their legacies will endure for generations yet unborn,” NGF said.

Northern State Governors’ Forum, in a statement by its chairman/Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described Clark as an upright and relentless advocate of fairness.

The 19 Northern governors extended their heartfelt condolences to the Clark family, the government and people of Delta, the Southsouth region, and Nigeria as a whole.

“Chief Clark was an advocate for the rights of the downtrodden and a steadfast voice for the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

“His commitment to justice and good governance distinguished him as a statesman of great repute.

“His demise is a profound loss, not just to the South-South but to the entire country,” the statement added.

Southern Governors Forum, in a statement by its Chairman/Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, said Clark’s death was a profound loss yet a glorious conclusion of a monumental chapter in Nigerian history.

It said: “The exit of Pa Clark at 96 marks a watershed in Nigerian history. As a man who lived through the struggles and triumphs of the colonial, independence and post-independence eras with all the twists and turns, Chief Clark was simply a personification of Nigerian history.

“He served with distinction for about seven decades and was one of the most accomplished voices of courage and progressivism that Nigeria has ever witnessed.

“The outpouring of emotions following his death, coming on the heels of the transition of a kindred spirit, the inimitable Pa Ayo Adebanjo, indeed marks a moment that all Nigerians must be proud of.”

Speaker: he served diligently

Speaker Tajudeen said Clark served Nigeria diligently until his passage, fought for the interests of the oil-rich Niger Delta region and was one of the voices of reasoning in Nigeria.

He noted that even after public service and politics, the nonagenarian continued to rally the Niger Delta through PANDEF, and formed alliances with other regional and zonal bodies for the common good of the people.

He commiserated with the people and the government of Delta, and the Niger Delta while praying for the repose of Clark’s soul.

Tajudeen prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.