A former gubernatorial aspirant and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has mourned the demise of elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who passed away on Monday, at the age of 97.
Onuesoke, who was among the first mourners to storm Clark’s residence at Asakoro, Abuja, on hearing of the news, told journalists at the venue that “it is unfortunate, that the last voice standing has gone.”
The PDP chieftain said the downtrodden masses will mix Pa Clark, describing him as a man who fought for peace, unity and growth of the Niger Delta region in particular, and Nigeria in general.
“At well over 80 years in the past, 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 Presidents Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan’s era were partly his brain child,” he said.
Onuesoke recalled that Chief Clark used law as an instrument of social engineering in helping his Izon people against marginalisation by the larger Nigerian ethnic nationalities and strenuously preached against the Nigeria-Biafra war, condemned the assassination of Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, just as he condemned the wanton pogrom that was visited on innocent Igbo residing in the north.
He said Chief Clark 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 cropped up at an ad hoc constitutional conference constituted by Gowon in 1966.
“His delegation preferred a united Nigeria, rather than a loose federation. Pa Clark speaks truth to power, leaving no stone unturned and no turn unstoned. That Pa Clark is an enigma is saying the obvious.
“A cult hero of his Izon people and of the entire South-South, Chief Clark is only but a reincarnation of his great-grandfather, Chief Bekederemo, a very wealthy and educated merchant.
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“Chief Bekederemo, owner of a steamship boat and an expensive palace, fought battles on behalf of the poor, reducing the prices of commodities.”
He recalled that Clark had always said the truth without fear or favour, adding that in a scenario where the oppositions were attacking Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, he came out boldly to commend the governor for his achievements in the state, since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
“Clark said Governor Oborevwori had achieved much within a short time as governor. He added that he had out-performed 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 has 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 centers, which had been neglected by previous administrations,” Onuesoke said.
