By PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has mourned the passing of Nigerian statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who passed away on Monday at the age of 97.
Onuesoke, who was among the first mourners to visit the residence of E.K. Clark in Asokoro, Abuja, upon hearing the news, told journalists at the venue, “It is unfortunate that the last voice standing has gone.”
The PDP chieftain said the downtrodden masses would miss Papa Clark. He described E.K. Clark as a man who fought for peace, unity, and the development of the Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to him, “Even at well over 80 years of age, he still frequented the marshy mangrove creeks, laden with dangerous reptiles, to negotiate with Niger Delta militants to lay down their arms.
“The amnesty truce achieved during the administrations of Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan was partly his brainchild.”
Onuesoke recalled that Chief Clark used the law as an instrument of social engineering to support his Ijaw people against marginalisation by the larger Nigerian ethnic nationalities.
He also strenuously preached against the Nigeria-Biafra war, condemned the assassination of Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, and denounced the wanton pogrom inflicted on innocent Igbo people residing in the North.
He said the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) was a man who fought for the unity of Nigeria, saying, After the January 15, 1966, military coup, Clark was among a group of delegates from the Midwest who opposed any idea of confederation that arose at an ad hoc constitutional conference convened by General Gowon in 1966. His delegation preferred a united Nigeria rather than a loose federation. Pa Clark spoke truth to power, leaving no stone unturned and no turn unstoned. That Pa Clark is an enigma is stating the obvious.
“A cult hero among his Ijaw people and the entire South-South region, Chief Clark was a reincarnation of his great-grandfather, Chief Bekederemo, a very wealthy and educated merchant. Chief Bekederemo, owner of a steamship and an opulent palace, fought battles on behalf of the poor, reducing the prices of essential commodities.”
He recalled that Clark had always spoken the truth without fear or favour. He added that when opposition figures attacked Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Clark boldly commended the governor for his achievements in the state since assuming office on 29 May 2023.
**“Clark said Governor Oborevwori had achieved much within a short time as governor and had outperformed his predecessors. In an open letter, Clark praised Oborevwori for transforming Warri into a bustling commercial hub and addressing long-standing infrastructural challenges across the state.
“Clark expressed admiration for the governor’s achievements within a short period and challenged critics to identify any past Delta State governor who had accomplished as much within a comparable timeframe.
“He highlighted the governor’s efforts to restore Warri’s status as one of Nigeria’s major commercial centres, which had been neglected by previous administrations,” Onuesoke recalled.
Onuesoke, who said Nigeria, Delta State, the Niger Delta region, and the world would miss him, prayed to God to give his family the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
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