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Edwin Clark, the 97-year-old leader of PANDEF, has passed away. Clark, who died on Monday, was a key figure in the advocacy for the Niger Delta region, where his leadership was instrumental in pushing for both political and economic changes over the years.
The death of Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and leading voice in South-South politics, was confirmed on Tuesday by a family spokesperson, Professor C. C. Clark.
The statement read, “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.”
Read also: Igbos Must Produce Nigeria’s Next President – Edwin Clark
Edwin Clark was widely regarded as a prominent advocate for both regional and national unity. His efforts in mediating peace among conflicting communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region were well-known. In October, he played a key role in facilitating a reconciliation committee aimed at mending the relationship between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former political mentor, Nyesom Wike.
The reconciliation committee, led by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, was a significant effort initiated by Edwin Clark. His passing comes just four days after the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the revered leader of Afenifere, the influential pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.
Widely respected for their contributions to Nigeria’s political development, Edwin Clark and Pa Ayo Adebanjo were active participants in the Greater Nigeria Conference held in Abuja in 2022. The conference was an important platform where they, along with other key figures, discussed the imperative of electing the next President of Nigeria from the South-E
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.
