A former Federal Commissioner for Information and prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has passed away at the age of 97.
The elder statesman, who was also the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), died on Monday night, February 17, 2025, according to a statement issued by his family on Tuesday morning.
The statement, signed by Prof. C. C. Clark, on behalf of the family, confirmed his passing saying, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on Monday, 17th February 2025.
“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”
“Other details will be announced later by the family,” the statement concluded.”
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Chief Clark, a vocal advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta people, played a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape, championing resource control and regional development. His passing marks the end of an era for the Ijaw nation and the entire Niger Delta region. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.
Last October, he set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather Nyesom Wike.
The committee was headed by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.
Clark’s death comes barely four days after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.
Both statesmen were known to be leading voices in the political development of the country.
The duo joined other patriots to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which was held in Abuja in 2022 to deliberate on the emergence of the next Nigerian President from the South-East.
In November 2023, they, alongside other and other eminent leaders of thought, renewed the calls for the restructuring of the country to achieve a true federal structure.
They called for the adoption and fully implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, arguing that document contains the antidote to the political and socio-economic problems confronting the country.
