Fasoranti, Afenifere leader mourns Edwin Clark

National leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben  Fasoranti, has expressed shock over the passing into glory of one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

Fasoranti,  while reacting to the death of Pa Clark, who was reported to have died in the evening of Monday, February 17, 2024 at the age of 97, described Clark as a great man who would be remembered for his fearlessness and the knack to ‘say it as he saw it’.

According to a statement issued on behalf of Pa Fasoranti by Afenifere national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, quoted Fasoranti as saying that lovers of democracy and particularly advocates of restructuring will solely miss the former Nigerian Commissioner for Information.

“Since the need to ensure that Nigeria serves the best interests of the vast majority became more pertinent, my brother, Chief Edwin Clark, was a very strong advocate. His voice was loud in the agitations for a restructured Nigeria. He always displayed the same strong passions on national issues especially those that affected the South South”.

Fasoranti stated that it grieved his heart that he has to mourn another compatriot just a few days after the death of the erstwhile acting leader of Afenifere and a comrade-in-arm, Chief Ayodele Adebanjo.

“Of course, we know that death is inevitable for all mortals, but it can be heart-rending and painful to be losing one’s comrades in succession. On behalf of Afenifere and fellow compatriots, I condole the immediate and extended families of our late patriot, Chief Edwin Clark, the people of Delta State and the people of the South South generally on his demise”.

Until his death Chief Clark was the leader of the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) formed by the ethnic nationalities from the Middle Belt, South-South, South East and South West of Nigeria. Afenifere, representing the South West, was a foundation member of the organization. Indeed, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a prominent leader of Afenifere was the deputy Chairman of SMBLF before his death last week Friday.