Edwin Clark, a distinguished Nigerian statesman, Ijaw leader, and political figure from Delta State, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the age of 97.
The news of his death was confirmed on Tuesday, February 18, through a statement jointly issued by Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the National Publicity Secretary and Spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); Professor College Clark of the Clark-Fuludu-Bakederemo family of Kiagbodo; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, the National Chairman of PANDEF.
Early Life and Background
Edwin Clark was born on May 25, 1935, in the then-British colonial Nigeria. As a man of the Ijaw ethnic group, one of the major communities in the Niger Delta, he grew up with firsthand knowledge of the struggles facing his people.
The Niger Delta, rich in natural resources, especially oil, has been one of the most exploited regions of Nigeria, yet its people remain among the poorest in the country.
Clark’s formal education and his background as a lawyer allowed him to ascend into positions where he could use his voice for advocacy, eventually becoming a strong political figure, particularly in the South-South region of Nigeria.
The Fight for Resource Control
Edwin Clark became a key advocate for resource control, a central issue for the people of the Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta has long been the oil-producing heart of Nigeria, yet the region’s people have seen little to no benefit from the immense wealth generated by oil extraction.
In the early stages of his activism, Clark was vocal in condemning the imbalances in revenue distribution between the federal government and the oil-producing states.
While the federal government controlled nearly all the revenues generated from oil, states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, which host oil fields, received only a small portion.
Clark, alongside other Niger Delta leaders, sought to reform this system. His call for “resource control” was to ensure that states hosting the oil fields would have greater control over the resources extracted from their land, thereby improving the living conditions and infrastructural development of the region. His efforts found a strong ally in the late General Sani Abacha’s regime, where the concept of resource control became a rallying cry for many Southern leaders.
Although the battle for resource control was long and difficult, it led to key constitutional debates in Nigeria. Clark was a major proponent of the agitation that would eventually lead to the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000, an initiative aimed at addressing underdevelopment in the region.
Despite the commission’s establishment, Clark continued to push for further reforms, arguing that it was not enough and that resource control remained the only just solution to the Niger Delta’s plight.
Championing the Rights of Niger Delta People
Edwin Clark’s fight wasn’t just about oil wealth—it was about the preservation of the rights and dignity of the people of the Niger Delta.
He stood for the region’s right to govern itself, demand fair compensation for its environmental damage, and control its own resources. One of his significant contributions to this cause was his involvement in the Niger Delta People’s Congress (NDPC), which sought to protect the cultural, social, and economic rights of the people of the region.
The environmental degradation in the Niger Delta due to decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and lack of meaningful investment in the region’s infrastructure prompted Clark to press for corporate responsibility from oil companies.
He played a central role in holding multinational oil corporations like Shell and Chevron accountable for their actions, often accusing them of complicity in the environmental destruction of the region.
Clark also spoke out against the Nigerian government’s heavy-handed approach to the region’s struggles, notably during the era of military dictatorship. His support for peaceful protests and his resistance against military suppression marked him as a prominent anti-authoritarian voice.
He condemned the Nigerian government’s treatment of the region, arguing that the government often used military force to suppress Niger Delta communities rather than engage in genuine dialogue or development.
The Battle for Autonomy and Local Governance
Edwin Clark also played a significant role in advocating for political autonomy for the Niger Delta.
He was a strong proponent of a federal system of governance that would empower local authorities in the South-South region, especially when it came to controlling their natural resources and managing their affairs.
During Nigeria’s transition to democracy in the 1990s, Clark supported the creation of a South-South geopolitical zone to give the region a more significant voice in the Nigerian political sphere. His lobbying efforts helped ensure that the Niger Delta was not overlooked in the creation of the state’s structure in the country.
He was instrumental in the political dynamics that brought the South-South region into greater focus at the national level.
The Ogoni Nine and the Struggle for Environmental Justice
Although the Ogoni people were the most prominent group in the Niger Delta’s environmental activism, Clark was a vocal ally in their battle for justice.
The Ogoni Nine, a group of activists and leaders executed in 1995 by the Nigerian military government, symbolized the sacrifices made by Niger Delta activists fighting against environmental degradation and government oppression.
Clark repeatedly called for accountability for the killings and the unfair treatment of Niger Delta activists. He worked to bring attention to the environmental damage caused by oil companies and the negligence of the Nigerian state in addressing these issues.
His legal acumen and activism ensured that the Ogoni struggle remained on the national and international radar.
Legacy and Ongoing Impact
Edwin Clark’s contributions to the Niger Delta’s political and environmental struggles are immeasurable. He remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and an icon of the Niger Delta’s pursuit of justice. His influence has shaped the way the region is viewed both domestically and internationally.
While resource control remains a contentious issue, Edwin Clark’s advocacy has had a lasting impact on Nigeria’s political landscape. His involvement in the formation of various political coalitions, including his leadership role in the South-South Peoples Assembly, has helped to ensure that the voices of the Niger Delta continue to be heard in Nigerian politics.
Though the region still faces many challenges, Edwin Clark’s life and work have shown the world that the fight for justice is not just about securing economic benefits but also about the dignity, rights, and identity of the people living in one of the world’s most oil-rich, yet economically deprived regions.
