‘Fallen Iroko’ – VP Shettima mourns Chief Edwin Clark

By Kunle Sanni

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has described the passing of elder statesman Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark as a profound national loss, likening it to the fall of a great Iroko tree.

Chief Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and Second Republic Senator, passed away on Monday at the age of 97 at his residence. He was also the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a leading voice on issues affecting the Niger Delta region.

In a condolence message on Wednesday, Vice President Shettima praised Chief Clark’s decades-long influence on Nigeria’s national discourse, particularly his advocacy for resource control and environmental justice.

“When the giant Iroko tree falls, the landscape itself is forever altered. Today, our national horizon looks markedly different without Chief Clark’s commanding presence that has shaped our political discourse for over six decades,” Shettima said.

He extended his sympathies to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family, describing the late leader as a distinguished patriot and fearless advocate for justice and equity.

Shettima highlighted Clark’s unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta, noting that his outspoken calls for restructuring often put him at odds with successive administrations, yet earned him respect across political lines.

“Chief Clark embodied the resilient spirit of the Niger Delta—unbowed and unwavering in his pursuit of justice. He consistently demonstrated that true leadership flows from unwavering principle rather than political expediency,” the Vice President stated.

He further noted that Clark’s legacy as a champion of fairness and inclusivity would endure beyond his passing.

“The Niger Delta has lost one of its most eloquent defenders, the Ijaw nation its most prominent son, and Nigeria a truth-teller whose interventions consistently redirected our national conversation toward justice and inclusivity,” Shettima added.