Edwin Clark: His Legacies Must Never Perish-Iba Gani Adams

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has described the death of elder statesman, foremost Niger Delta leader and prominent voice in the region, Chief Edwin Clark, as another irreparable loss.

Recalling that the PANDEF leader’s death came just five days after the demise of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who he described as a repository of knowledge, Iba Gani Adams said Chief Edwin Clark was an unrepentant advocate of restructuring; and justice for the people of the Niger Delta region as well as Nigeria as a whole.

In a statement he signed personally signed, Iba Adams praised the late Clark providing a powerful voice for the Niger Delta, advocating for better resource control, environmental protection, and economic development of the region.

The Yoruba generalissimo stated also that the Chief  Clark, a key figure in the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Ijaw National Congress, consistently fought for policies that favoured and stimulated the region’s growth.

“We have lost yet another strong voice in the country,” Iba Adams said in the statement. “The late Edwin Clark was a big influence in Nigeria.

“He led the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly, fought with his last breath to ensure that Nigeria is restructured.

“He also led the Pre-National Conference in Asaba, Uyo, Calabar, Lagos, and ensured that the Southern delegates had a common voice.

“The late Clark doused the tension that came from radical youth at the conference and played the fatherly role as was expected.

“The late Clark and Raymond Dokpesi rallied round the Middle Belt to ensure that the position of the Southern delegates at the National Conference reflected the position of progressive Nigerians.

“He was a major influence and a reliable leader that never compromised. He never missed any of the sitings during the 2014 National Conference in Abuja. He was eloquent and very influential at the Conference.

“He projected PANDEF, making it a respected brand across Nigeria.

“His influence in Nigeria’s politics spanned decades and he remained a respected elder statesman until his death.

“The late Clark left a legacy of advocacy, education and an unrelenting pursuit of justice and equity for both the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.”

While praying for the repose of the elder statesman’s soul, Iba Gani Adams urged the people of the Niger Delta region to recommit themselves to the ideals of the late Pa Edwin Clark as that would be the best legacy for the memory of the late Ijaw leader.