The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday mourned former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, describing him as a “true defender of the people”.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja, said the death of the nationalist and elder statesman, was a national loss.
Clark was a foremost crusader of social justice in Nigeria and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Ologunagba said that the elder statesman was a very bold lawyer, forthright politician, educationist and dependable leader, who stood for the right and wellbeing of the people.
He added that Clark also fought as an unrelenting advocate for justice, equity and fairness in the country.
“He was an outstanding voice in the demand for true federalism, resource control, openness in governance and prudent management of the country’s resources.
“These are key elements for the much-desired mutual respect, trust, unity, stability, peaceful co-existence and rapid development in a multi-ethnic country such as Nigeria, where every section is enabled to contribute its quota with emphasis on the principle of derivation”.
Ologunagba said that Chief Clark remained at the forefront of various national reforms, where he demonstrated that the essence of leadership was in the pursuit of the good of others.
He said that Clark demonstrated this throughout his lifetime as an independence agitator, councillor, student activist, member of the nationalist National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).
Ologunagba added that Clark also sustained the tempo when he was Midwestern Commissioner of Education and later, Finance, national executive member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Federal Commissioner of Information and a Senator.
“Our party acknowledges Chief Clark’s advisory roles to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP government.
“He contributed immensely to the success of that administration in its delivery of unprecedented socio-economic, infrastructural development, employment, business opportunities resulting in better living standard for Nigerians.
“Indeed, Chief Clark’s death is a huge national loss as he passed on at a time our nation and humanity needed his wise counsel and firm voice of direction the most.
“Though our party mourn, we celebrate Chief Clark as a great Nigerian whose legacies would remain indelible and continue to inspire generations to come,’’ he said.
Ologunagba commiserated with the Clark family, the government and people of Delta and the entire Niger Delta region.
He prayed to God to grant Chief Clark eternal rest and to his family and loved ones, the fortitude to bear this great loss.
