KEY POINTS
- The late Chief Edwin Clark encouraged fellow Nigerians to work towards enhancing the nation during his final words before his passing.
- Under the grief of his passing leaders including Tinubu, Jonathan, Buhari, Atiku, Obi along with numerous others mourn his death.
- The regional groups support restructuring as they believe Clark’s commitment to equity should keep fighting.
Chief Edwin Clark declared in his last words that he was Nigerian through and through and he showed love for his country while proudly declaring his Nigerian identity.
Chief Edwin Clark expressed these promised words to his family shortly before his death on a Monday evening when he reached 97 years old.
The passing of Chief Edwin Clark brought tributes from President Bola Tinubu alongside three former leaders Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and multiple politicians, state governors and PANDEF alongside the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) which heavily featured him.
Clark devoted his entire life to advancing Nigeria forward
The late Clark passed away at DIFF Medical Centre in Abuja at 11:45 p.m. before reaching his 98th birthday which would come on May 25 of 2025. Before passing away, James Clark requested Nigerians to carry on his struggle for restructuring according to PANDEF National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Igali and his first child Rebecca Clark-Okorodudu.
Clark declared ahead of his death that people should celebrate his passing rather than mourn and he wanted visitors to receive food along with drinks at his home.
The political field together with civil activists celebrate Clark’s actions after his passing
The head of state President Bola Tinubu lauded Clark because he displayed undeterred bravery when taking independent action against injustice. Obasanjo described the death of Clark as a tragic loss for patriotic leadership of Nigeria while Jonathan noted that Clark served as a paternal figure who championed fairness and justice steadily in his lifetime.
Atiku Abubakar recognized Clark as an indivisible defender of federalism and inclusion while Peter Obi credited him with being a devoted Nigerian leader. Buhari declared him an “iconic statesman” according to the National Assembly president Godswill Akpabio who focused on describing Nigeria’s loss of the nation’s beacon and its justice champion.
A national movement now needs organizational restructuring along with ongoing activism
Multiple groups from the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) PANDEF and South-South Governors’ Forum demanded President Tinubu to utilize Clark’s death as motivation to implement restructuring measures.
PANDEF declared his demise as the collapse of a powerful Iroko tree according to statements from ex-Delta State Governor James Ibori combined with Niger Delta activist Tompolo who noted the extensive impact of his voice advocating justice.
Two governors from Bayelsa and Lagos started national mourning for Clark followed by Sanwo-Olu declaring his death ended an important period in Nigeria’s history.
The Clark family announced no specific plans for his funeral while declaring their determination for his legacy to encourage Nigerians in creating an equitable and improved nation.
