President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Anambra and 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, have mourned late Chief Edwin Clark, who died on Monday, February 17, 2025 at age 97.
Reacting to the death of Chief Clark, the former federal commissioner of information and respected leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Tinubu describing clark’s death as a deeply sobering loss.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, expressed that he was deeply saddened by about the development.
According to the statement, he led an illustrious life marked by dedicated service, at different times, to the nation and his community as a councilor, state and federal cabinet member adding that he was also a passionate advocate for resource control, economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
The statement continued, “On behalf of the federal government, the President extends his condolences to the Edwin Clark family, the Ijaw nation, the people of the Niger Delta, and the government of Delta State.
Reflecting on the life of the late statesman, the President says Chief Clark was a towering figure whose influence was felt across Nigeria’s political firmament for nearly six decades.
The President states that Chief Clark was a courageous leader, who stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice adding, ”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.
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,” the President says”, the statement noted
Tinubu prayed for divine comfort for Chief Clark’s family, friends, and all those affected by this significant loss.
Atiku Abubakar described Clark a Trojan war horse in the battlefields for independence and a diehard proponent of nation-building, true federalism, equity, and good governance.
According to him, Clark was a veteran freedom fighter, educationist, philanthropist, legal luminary, and astute administrator who mentored many nationalists and patriots saying, “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.”
For Saraki, Clark was a man of great conviction who stood firm for what he believed in—right to the very end and his passionate voice for justice and equity will be deeply missed by Nigeria, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta, for whom he was a most ardent advocate.
“His death marks the end of an era—an era of principled leadership. He was one of the movers and shakers of the Second Republic Senate, in which my father served as the Leader of the Senate”, he added.
Peter Obi described Clark as 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, who remained vehemently vocal in his demand for good governance in the nation and 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. 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”, Obi stated.
Former Governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso acknowledging that the nation has just lost another foremost elder statesman, he said that Clark were among the few remaining nationalists of our country, whom were fearless fighters for justice, equity, and freedom for the people.
