Nigeria Looses Another Elder Statesman As Edwin Clark Dies Aged 97, Presidency Hails His Legacies

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Barely 72 hours after the death of nonagenarian Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Nigeria has lost another elder statesman of South South extraction, Pa Edwin Clark.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that Chief Edwin Clark, who was a renowned elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, died on Monday, February 17, 2025, aged 97.

OTN News further reports that the news of Clark’s demise was confirmed by his family in a statement released on Tuesday. The statement, signed by Prof. C. C. Clark, expressed appreciation for prayers and announced that further details would be shared later.

Edwin Clark was a distinguished lawyer, activist, and politician who dedicated his life to advocating for justice, equality, and human rights. As a prominent leader of the South-South region and the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Clark founded PANDEF and co-led the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF).

Throughout his illustrious career, Clark was known for his tireless defense of marginalized communities and his relentless pursuit of a fair and equitable society. His contributions extended beyond politics into the legal profession, education, and community development, where he founded several universities.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a tarse but sobering statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, has hailed the deceased Nonagenarian for his legacies of being an icon of "fighting for resource control by the Niger Delta region" as well as being an avid investor in the educational development of his people.