late PANDEF leader, Clark

President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, southern governors, northern governors and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, led the avalanche of tributes for elder statesman, Edwin Clark, who died on Monday, aged 97 years.

Clark’s demise was announced in a statement released by his family on Tuesday morning.

Leading the tributes, President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mourned the transition to the great beyond of a real patriot.

The President noted that Clark was a courageous leader who stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice.

In the same vein, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described Clark as a distinguished patriot and a relentless advocate for justice and equity.

Idris added that Clark’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic growth and development, particularly through his roles as a politician, nationalist, and elder statesman, left a significant impact on the country’s governance and unity.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio described the death of elder statement, Edwin Clark as a monumental loss to the nation.

In a statement he signed, Akpabio noted that Clark lived a life of service, conviction and dedication to justice.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said Clark served Nigeria diligently until the end.

Rendering his tribute, Obasanjo bemoaned the depleting ranks of the nation’s patriotic leaders, particularly at this crucial state of the country when their wise counsel and rich experience were greatly needed.

Obasanjo lamented that it was unfortunate that Clark’s death came barely four days after the demise of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the foremost Yoruba leader and Chairman of Afenifere.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi on Tuesday, Obasanjo noted that, over the years, Clark has been 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.

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NIGERIAN GOVS MOURN CLARK

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum in a statement personally signed by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, mourned the death of the two nationalists who recently passed away.

“The deaths of the nonagenarians are a huge depletion in the ranks of 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,” AbdulRazaq said.

Similarly, Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Dapo Abiodun, said the nation lost arguably the most engaging voice seeking redress of decades of exploitation and marginalisation of the Niger Delta peoples.

On its part, The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Yahaya, also noted that Clark was an upright and relentless advocate for fairness, and whose contributions to governance, democracy, and national discourse earned him admiration and respect.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, said Clark lived as a beacon of hope and conscience to leaders in government.

Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, lauded Clark as an unpretentious federalist, who gave his all in service to God, country, and humanity at large.

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, said the nation has lost one of the ‘last icons of a generation’ in Nigeria’s history.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, through his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, noted that Clark was a distinguished nationalist, an unwavering advocate for justice, and a pillar of wisdom whose immense contributions to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development will never be forgotten.

“Throughout his life, Chief Clark remained a voice of reason, a defender of equity, and a symbol of integrity in public service. His steadfast commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria inspired generations, and his legacy as an elder statesman will continue to guide us in the pursuit of national harmony and development,” Mohammed said.

Speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said the Ijaw nation has lost a father figure and an irrepressible voice.

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, called on leaders to emulate Clark’s qualities of fighting for fairness, justice and “a new Nigeria that is possible.”

Obi, who made the statement at the residence of the late Chief Clark after signing the condolence register, said the elder statesman consistently fought for a better Nigeria, adding that the country was fast losing voices who fought for justice at the expense of their own lives.

“We are fast losing the voices, strong voices that were able to fight even at the risk of their lives, at the risk of losing everything, they refused to be compromised in speaking the truth, speaking for justice, and for us, it is now becoming imperative that we have to live their life if we want a better Nigeria,” he said.

Also speaking, former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, called on Nigerians to emulate Clark’s belief in Nigeria, noting that Clark had supported him in pursuing amnesty in the Niger Delta.

PANDEF, Afenifere, others salute

The PANDEF also mourned the passing away of a national patriarch.

A statement by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Dr Godknows Igali, stressed that Nigeria had lost a tireless advocate for justice, equality and human rights, a passionate champion of the people, a brilliant mind, whose generous spirit will continue to inspire all Nigerians to work more towards a more just, equitable, and compassionate society.

The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, said Clark’s death has left a major vacuum.

“He played a leading role in the reunification of the South-South and the Middle East. He is that voice, that irrepressible voice, of not only the Ijaw people but also the Niger Delta and the minorities across West Africa. The issue of integrity, courage, the capacity to speak truth to power, the capacity to speak undiluted truth to power; these are qualities that are very, very difficult to be replicated in anybody at all.

“Clark died, leaving a major vacuum. But we have this belief in God that in the same manner that Clark was raised, was raised and prepared for leadership, there is no vacuum in politics, in life at all. So we also believe that the national process will follow, in bringing up a leader that will take over from him,” Okaba said.

The Afenifere, through its National Publicity Secretary, acknowledged Clark’s passion for a better Nigeria, like the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, held that Clark’s public service records spanning pre-colonial and post-colonial Nigeria were legendary and a manifestation of his unwavering commitment and dedication to nation-building.

On its part, The Patriots, under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, expressed sadness at the demise of Clark particularly coming a few days after the death of Afenifere chieftain Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

A statement by the general secretary, The Patriots, Olawale Okunniyi, lamented that the nation lost patriots who made courageous and forthright interventions on national issues.

The Patriots noted that Clark stood out as an inspiring and formidable voice committed to a new people’s constitution, the return of the country to true democratic federalism to be negotiated by the constituent assembly of Nigerians.

In his tribute, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi recalled that Clark was noted for promptness, pointing to the fact that during the 2014 National Conference, the PANDEF leader was never late for any session throughout the conference.

The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, noted that Clark stood out as a powerful voice for the Niger Delta, advocating for better resource control, environmental protection, and economic development for the region.

“We have lost yet another strong voice in the country. The late Edwin Clark was a big influence in Nigeria. He led the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly and fought with his last breath to ensure that Nigeria was restructured. He also led the Pre-National Conference in Asaba, Uyo, Calabar, Lagos and he also ensured that the Southern delegates had a common voice,” Adams said.

President, Middle Belt Forum, Bitrus Pogu pointed to Clark’s deep investment in the welfare of the Middle Belt region, noting that he dedicated his entire life to serving Nigeria, advocating tirelessly for justice, peace, and the protection of marginalized ethnic groups.

“His commitment to fairness and national unity was unparalleled. He was an irreplaceable leader who served as a pivotal rallying point for those advocating for an inclusive Nigeria,” Pogu said.

The National Secretary of the CUPP, Peter Ameh, said Clark left an indelible mark in his unwavering commitment to unity, diversity, and truth.