Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (1927-2025)

Nigeria lost another great patriot in the recent death of the elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. The eminent Nigerian died on February 17, 2025, shortly after the demise of a nationalist and political icon, Pa Ayo Adebanjo. Clark fought relentlessly for the rights of the oppressed people in the Niger Delta region and other parts of the country. Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State, the late Clark attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka. Thereafter, he worked briefly as a school teacher before travelling abroad to earn a law degree.

He worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, between 1966 and 1975. In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region, David Ejoor and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975. Clark was a prominent leader of the South-South region and the Ijaw ethnic nationality. He founded Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), an umbrella body of Niger Delta groups and co-led the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF). He relentlessly promoted justice, equality, and human rights. Throughout his career, Clark was known for his defense of marginalized groups and his promotion of a fair and equitable society. His contributions transcended politics, the legal profession, education, and community development. His admirers and critics see him as a nationalist and a great Nigerian. Clark spoke truth to power, and was never scared of addressing burning national issues.

Since his demise, prominent Nigerians have lauded Clark for his commendable achievements, including his crusade for equity and social justice in the country. President Bola Tinubu had noted that he was a courageous leader who stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, described the deceased as a “great brother, friend, a frontline lawyer and seasoned economist,” adding 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.

In the same vein, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described his death as a monumental loss to the nation, stressing that he lived a life of service, conviction and dedication to justice. “Pa Clark’s remarkable life was marked by strength and an undying commitment to the unity of this country. His voice, though now silenced, will echo in the annals of our history, urging us always toward justice, fairness, and national cohesion,” Akpabio stated. Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said Clark served Nigeria diligently until the end.

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, while lamenting Clark’s exit, called on leaders to emulate his qualities of fighting for fairness, justice and “a new Nigeria that is possible.” PANDEF in a statement by its National Chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, said that by his death, 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 towards a more just, equitable, and compassionate society.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide described him as a champion of national unity, a strong advocate for fairness, justice, and equity in Nigeria. The group also described Clark as a peace builder and seasoned nationalist. The Afenifere said that Clark was very deep, fearless, and a patriot par excellence. The Patriots expressed sadness at the demise of Clark, noting that he 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.

Clark was elected a councillor for Bomadi in 1953. He later joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, which later became the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). He was later appointed Midwestern Commissioner of Education and later, Finance from 1966 to 1975, before being appointed Federal Commissioner for Information.

During the Second Republic, he was a member of the national executive committee of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and was the treasurer of the party in the then Bendel State. In 1983, he was elected senator for three months before the December 31 military coup. Clark was the founder of Edwin Clark University, which was established in 2015. While urging the Federal Government to immortalize him, we commiserate with his family and members of the political class over the great loss.