Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a prominent Nigerian leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information, has passed away at the age of 97. The elder statesman died on the night of Monday, February 17, 2025. This was confirmed in a statement signed by Professor C.C. Clark on behalf of the family.
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.” His death marks the loss of one of Nigeria’s most influential and respected figures.
Clark’s passing comes shortly after the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the revered leader of the Afenifere group, who died at the age of 96. These two losses have left a significant void in Nigerian politics, especially in the South-South and South-West regions.
Chief Edwin Clark was a towering figure in Nigerian politics and a well-known advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta people. A skilled lawyer and administrator, he was recognized not only for his political career but also for his tireless fight for freedom and justice. Throughout his life, Clark worked passionately to promote national unity, especially for the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
His career in government began in the late 1960s when he served as Commissioner for Education in the Mid-Western Region from 1968 to 1971. He then moved on to become Commissioner for Finance and Establishment in the defunct Bendel State between 1972 and 1975. At the federal level, he held the position of Commissioner for Information in 1975, after which he became a Senator from 1979 to 1983.
Clark was a vocal leader in several major political forums, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the South-South Peoples Assembly, and the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF). His advocacy for resource control, fiscal federalism, and the development of the Niger Delta earned him respect not only in his region but across the entire nation. His views and actions on these issues made him a well-known figure in the national discourse.
Chief Edwin Clark’s contributions to Nigerian politics and his commitment to regional empowerment will be remembered for years to come. His passing marks the end of an era for the South-South region and Nigerian politics as a whole.
