By all accounts, the passing of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark marks not just the end of a man’s life, but the symbolic closure of a certain era in Nigerian political activism—an era shaped by fearless advocacy, unwavering federalist ideals, and a stubborn belief in the power of voice over violence.
Clark’s death at 97 has triggered a chorus of tributes, but what stands out—beyond the ceremonial condolences—is the deep anxiety over what his absence truly means. Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s insistence that “we cannot think of a replacement” was not mere sentimentality. It was a political and cultural lament: Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta, has lost a moral compass who had both the audacity to speak and the clarity to mean what he said.
Clark was not perfect—no political figure of his scale ever is—but he was persistent, principled, and unbending in matters of justice and equity. In an age where opportunism often masquerades as diplomacy, Clark’s style of direct engagement, even confrontation, stood out. When others hesitated to challenge the status quo, he marched forward, sometimes alone, sometimes misunderstood, but always convinced.
What made him exceptional wasn’t just his longevity in public life, spanning from the First Republic through the Fourth, but the consistency of his voice. As Senate President Godswill Akpabio rightly noted, “he stood firm when it was easier to bend.” That kind of spine—particularly in Nigerian politics—is rare and increasingly endangered.
Yet perhaps the most troubling question his passing raises is: Who now dares to roar? Clark’s stature was not only the product of age and experience, but of conviction—the kind that today’s political climate often penalizes. Nigeria’s youth are more connected, more informed, and more passionate than ever before, but can they channel that energy into the kind of constructive patriotism Clark exemplified?
The challenge now is twofold: first, to not let Clark’s ideals die with him; and second, to recognize that true patriotism is often inconvenient. It is not performative. It is not tribalistic. It is not timid. It is, as Clark taught us, the bold act of holding one’s nation accountable to its own promise.
In remembering Edwin Clark, we are reminded not just of what he said, but what he stood for: a Nigeria that works for all—not just the powerful, not just the majority, but everyone. That vision remains unfulfilled. But perhaps in his death, there is an opportunity—not to replace him, but to replicate his courage.
Because the roar of Edwin Clark may have gone silent—but its echo demands a response.
In the light of the background, former President Goodluck Jonathan has insisted that with the death of former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, the Ijaw nation, the people of Niger Delta region have lost a voice that cannot be replaced.
Speaking on Saturday during the Service of Songs for Clark at St, James’ Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Abuja, the former President who noted that the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF was committed to the unity of the country as he never compromised domination of any tribe by other tribes.
According to Jonathan, the memory of Clark was sharp even at 97, he had a pool of memory even until his death and he could take on anyone any time, adding, “We in Ijaw nation have lost someone that we cannot think of replacement.”
The Service of Songs held ahead of the May 13 burial in Kiagbodo, Delta State, was convened by PANDEF and his family in honour of the Ijaw leader, who died on February 17 at the age of 97.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the death of Clark marks the passage of an era, describing the elder statesman as a lion in the political forest and his voice echoed in the corridors of power.
Represented by Senator Joel Thomas, APC, Delta South, Akpabio said, “Today we do not merely mourn a loss, but we mark the passing of an era. We gather in solemn tribute to Sir Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a lion in Nigeria’s political forest, a sentinel of justice, and a patriarch of uncommon courage.
“Let history record that in our time, there walked among us a man who did not bow to the tides of fear or fashion. He stood firm when it was easier to bend. He spoke when silence could have shielded him. And he loved Nigeria—not for what she was, but for what she could become.
“In the life of every nation, there arise men who embody its conscience. Sir Edwin Clark was such a man. He was born in the creeks of the Niger Delta, but his voice echoed in the corridors of power across the land. He was forged in the crucible of struggle, tempered by the fire of activism, and guided by the unrelenting belief that Nigeria must belong to all her children—north and south, east and west, minority and majority.
“He was not a man given to timid compromise. No, Sir Edwin was a thunderous advocate for equity, a towering oak in the landscape of our national discourse. When others whispered, he roared. When others hesitated, he marched forward. He taught us that patriotism is not passive. It is not silence in the face of injustice. It is a sacred obligation to speak, to challenge, and to build.
“His public life stretched across generations—from the First Republic to this Fourth and with each administration, he lent his wisdom, whether welcome or unwelcome. He was never a fair-weather elder. He gave counsel in crisis, and criticism in comfort. In a nation often caught between memory and promise, Sir Edwin Clark reminded us of both what we had overcome and what we still must become.
“To the youth of this nation, let me say this: the greatness of Sir Edwin Clark was not that he held office, but that he held conviction. He wielded no sword but struck down ignorance with the power of truth. His greatest title was not ‘minister’ or ‘elder statesman,’ but patriot.
“Let no one mistake the finality of this moment. We have not only buried a man we have buried a monument. But monuments inspire. They do not decay. They call us to rise higher.
“And so, in this hour of national loss, let us not weep as those without hope. Let us rise with renewed dedication to the dreams he carried. Let us remember that the light of a true patriot does not go out; it passes like a torch into the hands of those still running the race.
“To his family, we extend the gratitude of a grateful nation. To his region, we offer our solidarity. And to Nigeria, we rededicate ourselves to the ideals he championed—justice, unity, equity, and truth.
“Rest, Sir Edwin. You have run your course. You have kept the faith. You have spoken your truth. And now, the soil of the land you so dearly loved shall cradle you in its eternal embrace.”
Also in his tribute, General Zamani Lekwot, who noted that Clark gave them seasoned advice on how to move Nigeria forward, said that his life and times were characterised by a serious struggle for one Nigeria for a true federalism.
Lekwot said that if Nigeria must get it right, we must go back to where Nigeria was before the January 15, 1966 Coup where there was true federalism, regions got what they produced, gave to the Federal as that gave room for very healthy competition among the regions, adding that this was what the late elder statesman stood for, true federalism, believed in one Nigeria where each state should grow at its own pace.
In their various tributes, former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, former governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, ex-governor of Cross Rivers State, Senator Liyel Imoke, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, retd, Chief Don Etiebet, all paid glowing tributes to the late elder statesman, what he stood for and what he would be remembered for.
First reading was taken from Ecclestatical 3: 1-8 and was read by the first daughter, Mrs Rebecca Okorodudu-Clark; second reading was taken from 1 Thessalonians 4,13-18 and reading Ebikeme Clark; third reading was taken from 1Corinthians 15: 35- 49 and by Penawei Clark; fourth reading was taken from Revelation, 21: 1- 8 and read by Becky Clark and the fifth reading was taken from John 11: 1-27.
In his remarks at the end of the event, Clark’s first son, Penawei Clark, said that his father’s dream of a true Nigeria, a united Nigeria, people with one direction, should be kept strong as part of ways to honour him.
