State governors, including Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Bassey Otu (Cross River) have joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in mourning the passing of one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates for equity and justice, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
Others were Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra).
They described him as a patriot, nationalist extraordinaire, irrepressible voice, freedom fighter, unpretentious federalist and champion of social justice.
Noting that Clark greatly impacted Nigeria, the governors said his demise marked the end of a great era.
Chairman, Tantita Security Services, Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo), former Delta State Governor James Ibori, and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election Peter Obi, also paid tributes to the elder statesman.
In his condolence message to the Clark family and the Ijaw nation, Governor Oborevwori recalled the life and times of Nigeria’s first Information Commissioner, saying they were well spent in the service of the nation.
He eulogised the late elder statesman for his unwavering and unprecedented dedication to the growth and unity of the nation, especially in the Southsouth.
Oborevwori said; “I mourn the passing of an elder statesman, a Nigerian patriot and a role model, Chief (Dr) Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, OON, an icon whose influence traversed Nigeria’s political scape for six decades. As a teacher, educator, public servant, and politician, Chief Clark was a model of integrity, consistency, fidelity to a cause, and patriotic fervour.
“To the people of the Niger Delta region, he was their champion. Bold, outspoken, and fearless, he stood resolute in crusading for fairness, equity and justice for the region.
“His exit is also a personal loss; he was a motivator, mentor, and father to me. I will miss his wisdom, counsel, and zest for life.’’
Diri directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for three days. He also suspended all government’s fifth anniversary activities for the same period.
He said: “The Ijaw nation has lost its father figure and irrepressible voice.
“Chief Clark was an icon, a treasure of inestimable value and a nationalist par excellence.
“He was a distinguished patriot, who dedicated his whole life to the service of Nigeria. Until the very end, he was unrelenting.”
Like Oborevwori, Diri sympathised with the family of the deceased and the Delta State government.
Rivers State Governor Fubara, who also extended his condolences to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family, said the death of the elder statesman was heart-wrenching and tragic.
He noted that despite being a nonagenarian, Clark remained active, serving as beacon of hope and conscience to leaders in government.
“He kept in touch with national issues and did not cease from providing elderly counsel to leaders at various levels, in pursuit of responsible and responsive leadership in Nigeria,” Fubara said.
The governor described Clark as a “courageous Ijaw leader, nationalist and freedom fighter, who demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the unity of the country and boldly defended the rights of the minorities, especially Niger Deltans.”
In a statement made available to reporters, Ekpemupolo described Clark’s death as a rude shock
He said: “I, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, also called Tompolo, … extend my condolences to the people of the Southsouth and Nigeria in general for the death of our illustrious father.
‘’The news came to me with a rude shock, as I was not expecting this kind of news this(yesterday) morning. Even though he was old, he was full of life and kicking. Hence, I was surprised to hear of his death this morning.
“Nigeria lost its unique and potent voice in the Southsouth, which was a unique gift from God.
“There is no denying that this death has put a vacuum in the country’s leadership structure. He was a democratic and socio-economic crusader.
“Senator Clark was a strong, fearless, and irrepressible individual who spoke truth to power. He was a voice for the voiceless and a father for the fatherless. We will miss him.
“I pray that God Almighty gives the family and the country the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
