The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, called on leaders to emulate Chief Edwin Clark’s qualities of fighting for fairness, justice, and “a new Nigeria that is possible.”
Obi, who made the statement at the residence of the late Chief Clark after signing the condolence register, said the elder statesman consistently fought for a better Nigeria, adding that the country was fast losing voices who fought for justice at the expense of their own lives.
“We are fast losing the voices, strong voices that were able to fight even at the risk of their lives, at the risk of losing everything; they refused to be compromised in speaking the truth, speaking for justice, and for us, it is now becoming imperative that we have to live their life if we want a better Nigeria,” he said.
Clark’s demise was announced in a statement released by his family on Tuesday morning.
The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON, on Monday, 17th February 2025.
“Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State, late Clark attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka. Thereafter, he worked briefly as a schoolteacher before traveling abroad to earn a law degree.
“He worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, between 1966 and 1975. In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Midwestern Region province, David Ejoor, and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.
“May his soul rest in peace, Amen.”
