Goodluck Jonathan, a former President of Nigeria, has said that the late Pa Edwin Clark was a man whose shoes are too big for him or anyone from the Ijaw ethnic nationality to fill.
This is even as the Nigerian senate has honoured the late elder statesman.
Jonathan spoke on Wednesday night when a group led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri paid a condolence visit to his family in honour of Pa Clark, who passed away at the age of 97.
Various dignitaries present expressed passionate feelings of grief over Clark’s death and his immense contributions to Nigeria and the profound impact he had on the Ijaw community and beyond.
Jonathan said: “A friend in Benue State called me and asked me to take over the leadership, but I said the shoes he wore are too big for my feet to fit into.
“He had the courage, boldness, and could confront anybody even though he was from a minority group. He was not just a leader for the Ijaw nationality; he was a leader for Nigeria.
“When he was a federal commissioner, I was in primary school. You cannot ask me to fit into his shoes.
“He spoke to presidents, he challenged them, he came out with fire and brimstone to challenge injustice,” he said.
Diri, on his part, said: “For us from his own ethnic nationality, the Ijaw ethnic nationality, there are shoes that will be difficult for anybody to fill. We all know the man, the character E. K. Clark. His last book was brutally frank—a man who tells you black is black and white is white. He gave leadership, and for us, it’s difficult to find someone who can step into those shoes. That is where we are now.”
Senate showers encomiums
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, paid a glowing tribute to the late Pa Clark.
During plenary, lawmakers in unanimity resolved to implore the federal government to immortalise Clark by renaming a national monument in his honour.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) and co-sponsored by 16 other senators.
The Senate also resolved to send a high-powered delegation to condole with his family and attend his funeral rites, acknowledging his past membership in the esteemed legislative body. The Senate also observed a minute of silence in his memory.
Presenting the motion, Sen. Thomas revisited Clark’s early life, saying that he was a native of Kiagbodo, Delta State, and began his education in Effurun, Okrika, and Afugbene before moving to the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka.
He briefly worked as a teacher before travelling to the United Kingdom to earn a law degree.
Thomas also recalled Clark’s role in founding PANDEF in 2016, alongside other regional leaders, with the mission of advocating for restructuring, development, and security policies beneficial to the Niger Delta.
“Pa Edwin Clark was a nationalist, a renowned lawyer, a seasoned administrator, a philanthropist, and an astute advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta,” Thomas stated.
In his remarks, Sen. Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) praised Clark’s unwavering courage, stating, “He was never afraid to speak truth to power. Beyond politics, he was a father figure whose willpower will be sorely missed.”
Sen. Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) described Clark as an iconic leader whose contributions to Nigeria were widely acknowledged. “He served meticulously and left an indelible mark in the nation’s history,” he said.
For Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Clark had a lifelong fight for the marginalised and underprivileged. He said, “We can thank him for his sagacity and steadfast courage in speaking truth to power.”
On his part, Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) lauded Clark’s bridge-building efforts, noting, “He preached unity and brotherhood, fostering peace among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.”
In his contribution, Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro (Benue South), lamented Clark’s passing at a time when his counsel was greatly needed. “He was one of the formidable founding fathers of modern Nigeria,” Moro remarked.
Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) added that Clark’s influence transcended ethnicity, inspiring people across the nation.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Clark’s relentless fight for the rights of minorities, not just in the Niger Delta but across Nigeria.
“He worked to unite different ethnic groups and advocated passionately for a better Nigeria,” Akpabio stated. “Even beyond 90 years of age, his voice remained strong, and whenever he spoke, his passion for the country was undeniable.”
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