Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, has mourned the death of foremost Nigerian statesman, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
He described Clark—who until his death was Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)—as the “most vocal voice of minority ethnic groups and an invaluable asset to contemporary Nigeria.”
The Rivers lawmaker made this assertion via a statement signed by him and issued to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, upon hearing the passing of the Delta-born nonagenarian.
He said the news of Clark’s demise came as a rude shock to him considering how a crucial figure he was—particularly to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta region at large.
“We have lost an uncommon patriot, a reliable father, a solution-driven public affairs analyst, a tireless activist, and an impactful politician who dedicated his entire life to the service of his community, ethnicity, country and, above all, humanity,” the lawmaker said.
Sokari, who represents the people of Ahoada West in the state assembly, expressed that “Pa Clark passed away when his rare knowledge, experiences, intellectual activism and wisdom were still needed to rapidly move our Land forward.”
The Leader of the Rivers State 10th Assembly, in the statement, recalled how Pa Clark stood solidly behind Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, when pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers tried to impeach him.
“Despite being in his 90s,” says Sokari, “the late Pa Clark was actively following up matters of public concern, venting his valid thoughts via press releases, open letters and petitions, as well as mediating during crises to get things right in the country.
“As a true Ijaw patriot and defender of constitutional democracy, Pa Clark publicly showed solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (GSSRS), when the enemies of our dear state wanted to dislodge him from Brick House.”
Sokari, a former Chairman of the Abua-Odual/Engenni-Ogbogolo Special Chapter of the foremost Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), further described Clark as an irreplaceable sage.
He however lamented that Clark’s death has created a big vacuum not only in Ijaw nation but the entire Niger Delta region and beyond.
The Rivers lawmaker deeply condoled with the family members and urged them to “take solace in the fact that Pa Clark lived a fulfilled life and he will forever be remembered for the huge positive impact he made in his lifetime.”
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