•Late Elder statesman, Edwin Clark
The Patriots, under the chairmanship of former Commonwealth Secretary- General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, mourn the exit of Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, who passed on yesterday at age 97.
In a statement issued this afternoon and made available to The Frontier, the eminent body of Leaders of thought, statesmen and women aspiring to birth a united and prosperous Nigeria, said, “The Patriots are indeed sad because Nigeria has lost a very invaluable national icon, who is very important to the people’s collective aspiration to birth a new Nigeria that works for all.”
Below is the full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
Tuesday, 18th February, 2025
The Patriots Mourn the Exit of Edwin Clark
….. Celebrate Edwin Clark’s Iconic Legacies, …..Commiserate with His Family
The National Secretariat of the Patriots, an eminent body of Leaders of thought, Statesmen and women aspiring to birth a united and prosperous Nigeria under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Anyoku, GCON, today received the news of the sudden passing of Elderstatesman, Edwin Clark, Leader of the Niger Delta People at 97 years old, with mixed feelings.
The Patriots are indeed sad because Nigeria has lost a very invaluable national icon, who is very important to the people’s collective aspiration to birth a new Nigeria that works for all. Again, we are however proud that Edwin Clark lived an illustrious life full of insurmountable legacies for generations to come, which are worth celebrating. He was indeed outstanding on the side of the people in speaking truth to power in Nigeria
Edwin Clark was an inspiring formidable voice, which was quite committed to giving a new people’s constitution for Nigeria aimed at returning the country to true democratic federalism to be negotiated by the constituent assembly of the peoples of Nigeria. He was therefore instrumental to the success recorded by the 2014 National Confab, where he led the southern delegates effectively.
The Patriots however find his demise at this critical time, coming on the heels of the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, another Patriotic giant of inestimable measure, as a loss and void too big for the peoples of Nigeria to handle. Edwin Clark will surely be missed by all Patriots, especially for his courageous and forthright interventions on national issues affecting the peoples of Nigeria.
The Patriots, on this score, wish to commiserate with members of Chief Edwin Clark’s immediate family, praying that God comfort them and give them the heart to bear this irreplaceable loss to them, the peoples of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. For we in the Patriots are encouraged that though his soul has departed the world, his immutable legacies are here alive with us always.
Signed:
Olawale Okunniyi
General – Secretary,
The Patriots
