Niger Delta deeply worried, troubled over Clark’s demise

The South-South people have expressed great worry over the demise of two great icons in the region in less than a week, Pa Edwin Clark, the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere.

The South-South Elders Forum said it is indeed a troubling situation in the region because it will be impossible to get another vocal, frank, legendary icon who will be so dedicated to issues of human rights and resource control like the late Pa Clark.

National Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum, Anabs Saro-Igbe, said Pa Clark contributed immensely to the development of the region, fighting vigorously for the rights of minorities, oil host communities in the Petroleum
Industry Bill, the entire Niger Delta region, and the nation at large.

Saro-Igbe also noted that Pa Clark’s insistence on true democracy made it possible for Rivers State not to be controlled by one man or turned into a private estate, adding that Rivers State is liberated today from godfatherism.

He said Nigerians will miss a fearless and vocal voice who spoke to authorities without fear or favor.

He said, “Niger Delta has missed a rare gem. We are sad and very sorrowful. Pa Clark was among those who advocated for a South-South President, which led to the agitation for former President Goodluck Jonathan to become a president from the region.

Pa Clark also insisted on restructuring and resource control, which is still on course.”

Also speaking, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) said Pa Clark will be greatly missed by the Ijaw nation, saying his demise has thrown the Ijaws into deep mourning.

National Publicity Secretary of INC, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, said Pa Clark spoke truth to power and was brutally frank and not political in all his agitations and statements on national issues.

The INC spokesman said, “Pa Clark stood not only for the Ijaw people. He spoke for all the Niger Delta, the South-South people, and all minorities who were oppressed.

“He was an impactful leader—a leader who could not be manipulated. He spoke the truth at all times. As the leader of PANDEF, he galvanized the leaders of the Niger Delta region to speak and fight for their rights. His belief in equality is undebatable. His voice was loud in the call for the restructuring of the country.

“Pa Clark was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw National Congress till his demise. The INC will highly miss him, particularly at this period when the INC has re-strengthened its position for total resource control and a revisit of the Willink’s Commission report.”

He added that Pa Clark’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to fight for a more just and equitable society.

A strong female voice in the South-South region, Ann-Kio Briggs, said she has lost a father, describing Pa Clark as the greatest Iroko tree among Iroko trees in the Ijaw Nation, Niger Delta, and Nigeria.

Briggs said, “I learned a lot from him at his feet. I loved him dearly, and he taught me a lot.

He saw and nurtured in me the truth and fearlessness he had. PANDEF was a body he envisioned while we who were standing did not see. He handed over PANDEF in his lifetime; that shows you what a great leader he is (I am not able to speak of him in the past).

He fought for the rights and justice of our people, region, and resources, but never to the detriment of our people or future.

“He believed in democracy for Nigeria and justice for us. He handed over to us when we needed him most. I, for one, will not let him down based on what I learned from him, and the leadership of PANDEF today should not let him down and the region.

It is tough to fit into Pa Clark’s shoes, but they—we—must try not to let him down. He had dreams for us, justified dreams.

We must achieve those dreams; they are achievable. Political, economic, internal justice, and a new constitution are achievable.

“As a daughter of Rivers State, I am grateful. As an Ijaw daughter, I remain eternally grateful to my Ijaw and Niger Delta father for standing up for Rivers State at the worst time in the life of our beloved state—not because he was an Ijaw Iroko but because he spoke truth to power and continued to defend our rights to have the governor of the choice of the majority of Rivers State.

Till his last days, his support to keep Rivers State peaceful was as strong as it was on the first day.”
For Clarice Azuatulam, a veteran journalist, Pa Clark was vociferous and firm in his pursuit of the right democratic values in Nigeria.

She said, “Only God knows why he and Pa Ayo Adebanjo had to go at this time. But surely, Nigerians, especially the democrats, will miss these two great men.”

She prayed for the souls of Pa Clark and Pa Adebanjo to find rest in God’s kingdom.