***Jonathan: ‘Clark Was a Man Beyond Replacement’
At the Service of Songs held in St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, on Saturday night, Nigeria’s top political figures came together not just to mourn Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, but to honour a voice that shaped decades of the nation’s journey.
From President Jonathan’s emotional tribute to Senate President Akpabio’s symbolic farewell, the night echoed one resounding message: a monument has departed, but his legacy is alive.
They remembered him as fearless, prophetic, and unyielding—a voice for justice, federalism, and the Niger Delta.
With reflections from General Lekwot, Adolphus Wabara, Don Etiebet, and others, the evening became both memorial and mandate. In Clark’s passing, Nigeria was reminded of the path he walked—and the unfinished road ahead.
Former President Jonathan delivered an emotional tribute describing him as a fearless voice, a passionate patriot, and a man whose memory and impact will endure for generations.
Reflecting on a moment from his early political journey, Jonathan recounted a time when misinformation threatened his position. “I was not fired,” he clarified, referencing a period marked by public confusion and tension. “When Governor Alamieyeseigha saw the news, he took it seriously. He insisted on hearing from me directly, and after our meeting, the case was reconsidered and corrected.”
That pivotal moment, he noted, was partly influenced by the wisdom and intervention of elders like Clark.
Jonathan recalled being deeply moved by Clark’s passion: “It was the first time I saw an elderly man speak with such intensity—not just about the challenges of the 1990s, but those of the 1970s as well.”
For him, Clark represented a steadfast commitment to national unity, devoid of oppression or domination. “In Nigeria, no group should ever be taken for granted or exploited,” Jonathan said. “Those are the issues we are still grappling with.”
He described the loss as irreplaceable. “From the roots of ethnic nationalism, we have lost someone who cannot be easily replaced. No one should even suggest that we can.”
Jonathan praised Clark’s sharp memory, his faith-driven sense of justice, and his dedication to the common good. “He could recount names, dates, and events from 60 years ago as if they happened yesterday. He had that kind of memory and purpose.”
“He was fearless,” Jonathan added, “and he bore no hatred. Just as the scriptures remind us, there is a time to be born and a time to die. He has done his part and gone beyond the expectations of public service.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Jonathan expressed gratitude to all who gathered to honour the elder statesman. “Though I was supposed to read a lesson today, I chose to speak from the heart. We thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable man.”
Clark, he concluded, lived not for accolades but for service—and that is what will keep his memory alive.
Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas of Delta South Senatorial District, who also represented The president of the senate, Godswill Akpabio paid stirring tribute to the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark
He described the departed nationalist as a “lion in a little political forest” and “a monument whose legacy cannot be buried.”
Senator Onowakpo celebrated Chief Clark’s fearless devotion to justice, equity, and national unity, recalling how the Ijaw leader stood firm in moments of political turbulence when others chose silence.
“In every nation’s life, there comes a man who embodies its highest ideals. Chief Edwin Clark was such a man,” Onowakpo declared. “He was born in the Niger Delta, but his voice resounded across the entire federation. He stood not for what Nigeria was, but for what she could become.”
The senator hailed Clark as a “tolerant advocate for equity” and “a dwelling hook in the landscape of our national discourse,” stating that he was forged in the crucible of struggle and remained committed to national progress across generations of leadership.
“He was never a fair-weather elder,” Onowakpo emphasized. “He offered counsel in crisis and participated in conflict. His greatness was not in the titles he held, but in the convictions he carried.”
Addressing the youth, Onowakpo urged them to draw inspiration from Chief Clark’s life. “Let no one miss the tone of this moment,” he said. “We have not just buried a man. We have buried a monument. But monuments do not decay. They rise.”
He concluded with a heartfelt message to the family, the Niger Delta region, and the nation: “To his family, we offer the gratitude of a grateful nation. To his region, our solidarity. And to Nigeria, a renewed pledge to the ideals he lived for—justice, unity, and truth.”
“Rest, Sir Edwin,” Onowakpo said in closing. “You have run your race. You have kept the faith. You have spoken your truth. And now, the land you loved shall welcome you into eternal peace.”
Retired General Zamani Lekwot, Chairman of the Middle-Belt Council of Elders, has called for urgent national restructuring, warning that Nigeria’s leadership crisis can no longer be ignored if the country is to survive and thrive.
Lekwot used the solemn occasion to deliver a sobering reflection on Nigeria’s political structure.
He argued that the current centralised system has failed to deliver meaningful governance and must be replaced with a true federal arrangement.
“Our country is facing a serious leadership crisis,” Lekwot declared. “Despite Nigeria’s vast human and material resources, they are not properly distributed to meet the needs of the people.
The centralized structure we operate today cannot serve a country of this size, complexity, and growing population.”
He pointed to the model of governance Nigeria practiced before the January 15th, 1966 coup—when the country was divided into four regions, each retaining 50% of its revenues and contributing the remaining 50% to the central government. According to Lekwot, that system encouraged accountability, development, and healthy competition among regions.
“That was the foundation of resource control. It allowed leadership to emerge from within, with each region working to meet its own needs,” he said. “Every state in Nigeria is blessed. There is no reason anyone should fear a return to regionalism.”
Lekwot supported his argument by referencing the 2014 National Conference, which recommended that Nigeria adopt states as federating units—mirroring the models used in the United States and India. These countries, he noted, have allowed their subnational units to function as allies, not rivals, within a united federation.
“If we continue doing the same things, we’ll keep getting the same poor results,” he warned. “The sooner we embrace restructuring and allow each region or state to grow at its own pace, the better for all of us.”
The retired general emphasized that the late Clark shared this vision for a restructured Nigeria. Known for his fearless views and unwavering patriotism, Clark hosted numerous strategy sessions in his home for the Middle-Belt and Southern Elders Forum and remained a vocal advocate for equity and justice until his passing.
“In 2015, under his guidance, we interviewed 18 presidential candidates to assess their readiness to lead. He believed in inclusion and transparency,” Lekwot recalled.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to honour Clark’s legacy not just in words, but in action. “We must continue from where he stopped. May his soul rest in peace, and may we find the courage to build the Nigeria he envisioned—a fair, just, and truly federal nation.”
Lekwot’s remarks stood out as both tribute and timely political intervention, reigniting the national conversation on restructuring in the presence of leaders from across Nigeria’s political and civic spectrum.
Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara delivered a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on Clark’s enduring legacy and his profound impact on Nigeria.
Wabara, who had close ties to Clark’s family, described him as a “great and wonderful friend” whose intellect remained sharp throughout his life. He emphasized Clark’s contributions to various sectors of the country, noting that “he touched every aspect of this country.”
Highlighting Clark’s commitment to democracy, Wabara stated, “Edwin Clark was a true Nigerian. He fought for democracy.” He suggested that Clark’s passing was timely, implying that he “foresaw what is happening and what will happen in this country,” and chose to “run to God to save Nigeria.”
In a spiritual reflection, Wabara likened Clark’s journey to that of biblical figures, expressing hope in his resurrection and continued influence: “Edwin Clark will rise again. He will sit by Edwin Clark. He will take it to the servant in this country.”
The service was attended by numerous dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, who insisted that “Edwin Clark can’t be replaced,” underscoring the void left by the elder statesman’s passing.
The Senate has also called on the Federal Government to honor Clark’s memory by naming a national monument after him, recognizing his lifelong dedication to the nation’s unity and development.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, delivered a powerful and deeply personal tribute that underscored Clark’s towering legacy in Nigerian history.
Senator Osunbor began by acknowledging the profound personal impact Chief Clark had on him, stating, “I want to thank you for putting your eyes on my own personal experiences and feelings.” He described Clark as a man of “immense courage, strong conviction, and a fearless advocate of equal rights for all Nigerian citizens — whether from the north, south, east, or west.”
Osunbor noted that Clark’s death on February 17, 2025, created a “huge void in the political landscape of Nigeria that would be difficult to fill.” He described the late leader as a “bastion of tolerance” who exemplified religious harmony in his own home — a devout Christian whose children included Muslims.
Recalling Clark’s patriotic commitment to national unity after the Nigerian Civil War, Osunbor highlighted a personal sacrifice Clark made: transferring his daughter, Rebecca, from the comfort of St. Teresa’s College in Ueli to Queen’s College in Ubu, then ravaged by war, to symbolize his support for national healing.
Osunbor addressed the controversies that often surrounded Clark, saying, “He was misunderstood by some for being fiercely critical of the injustices, inequities, inequalities, and discrimination prevalent in Nigeria.” Nonetheless, he affirmed that “deep down, Chief Clark was a nationalist to the core.”
He urged those seeking to understand the real Edwin Clark to read his autobiography, Brutally Frank, publicly presented on July 23, 2023. “That book reveals the true nature of this great Nigerian,” Osunbor said.
Sharing personal anecdotes, Osunbor recounted attending a 2023 coalition conference in Chicago with Chief Clark, where he saw firsthand the international respect Clark commanded. He also recalled representing him at the convocation of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, where Clark was honored for his role in establishing the institution as Education Commissioner during the Midwest military government.
According to Osunbor, Clark’s passion for higher education led him to found Edwin Clark University in Kiagbodo, Delta State — now one of Nigeria’s leading private universities. He also credited Clark with leading the formation of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), nominating Osunbor himself to chair the committee that drafted its constitution.
During what would be his final visit to Clark on January 23, 2025, Osunbor said he found him bedridden but mentally alert, still expressing outrage over issues in Bayelsa State. “True to his words, he issued a press statement which was published two weeks later — likely his last public statement.”
Clark, he added, had long joked that he had “collected his boarding pass and was waiting in the departure hall,” showing that he was unafraid to speak truth to power, even in his final days.
“Chief Edwin Clark has left indelible marks,” Osunbor concluded. “His legacy will last for generations. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, knowing they do not grieve alone. We all are grieving the loss of this great Nigerian.”
Former Minister of Petroleum and elder statesman, Don Etiebet, delivered a heartfelt tribute describing the late leader as a towering symbol of justice, resource control, and regional advocacy for the South-South.
Etiebet began by recalling how the news of Clark’s passing on February 17, 2025, “hit the whole country like a thunderbolt,” given his immense contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution. “Chief Clark was not just a lawyer by profession, but a politically certified statesman — serving as a councillor, state and federal cabinet member, senator, and eventually founding and leading the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF),” he said.
He emphasized Clark’s lifelong commitment to equity, justice, and fairness for the South-South region, especially his passionate advocacy for resource control in the Niger Delta. “He worked very hard for that,” Etiebet said.
Recounting a personal memory, Etiebet revealed that when he formed the National Central Party of Nigeria in 1996 to run for president, Clark was the first person he consulted. “He encouraged me so very much,” Etiebet recalled, although the ambition was later thwarted by the military regime.
Etiebet said he had never seen Clark more fulfilled than when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became President of Nigeria. “He actually told me that his dream had come to pass and that he was happy to have contributed to that outcome,” he noted.
Reacting to Clark’s death, Etiebet shared the message he sent via WhatsApp to Ambassador Godknows Igali, describing the loss as, “Oh my God, the big Iroko tree of the South-South has fallen.”
Etiebet hailed Clark as “a father, a pillar of strength, a symbol of unity, and an audacious voice for equity, peace, justice, and development.” According to him, “For us in the South-South, Chief Edwin Clark was a leader of inestimable value.”
Reflecting on Clark’s legacy, Etiebet described him as “Chief Leader of Leaders, politician of all politicians, lover of all lovers, emancipator of all emancipators, philanthropist of all philanthropists, and the great educationist who founded the Edwin Clark University.”
Etiebet concluded his tribute with a message of deep loss and eternal hope: “We shall sorely miss you. But God loves you more and has called you to be with Him after your great and remarkable sojourn on earth. May your great soul rest in perfect peace.”
