Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a prominent Nigerian nationalist, elder statesman, and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has passed away at the age of 97. He died on Monday, February 17, 2025.
The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, announced his passing in a statement released on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The statement, signed by family representative Prof. C. C. Clark, expressed gratitude for the public’s prayers and noted that further details would be provided in due course.
Born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, Delta State, Chief Clark was a distinguished Ijaw leader and politician. He served as Federal Commissioner for Information during General Yakubu Gowon’s administration from 1966 to 1975.
Throughout his career, he was a steadfast advocate for regional and national unity, playing a pivotal role in mediating peace among communities and political figures in the Niger Delta region.
In October 2024, Chief Clark established a committee led by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah to reconcile differences between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former political mentor, Nyesom Wike. This initiative underscored his commitment to fostering harmony and understanding within the political landscape.
His passing comes just four days after the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group. Both statesmen were instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s political development and were known for their unwavering dedication to national progress.
In 2022, Chief Clark and Pa Adebanjo attended the Greater Nigeria Conference in Abuja, where discussions centered on the emergence of a Nigerian President from the South-East.
By November 2023, they, along with other eminent leaders, renewed calls for restructuring the nation to achieve a true federal system. They advocated for the adoption and full implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, believing it held solutions to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic challenges.
Beyond his political engagements, Chief Clark was a philanthropist who founded the Edwin Clark Foundation and established a university in his hometown, contributing significantly to education and community development.
President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sadness over Chief Clark’s death, describing him as a “patriotic leader” whose contributions to national unity and development will be sorely missed.
