‘I Can’t Imagine Niger Delta Without Pa Clark’, Says Sen. Ned Nwoko

BY OVASA OGAGA

Senator Representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Senator Ned Nwoko has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of elder statesman Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, describing him as an irreplaceable pillar of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

Senator Nwoko stated this during a condolence visit to the home of the late Ijaw leader, reflecting on Pa Clark’s unwavering dedication to justice and the advancement of the South-South region.

“It is hard to imagine the South-South without Pa Edwin Clark. He was fierce—fiercely loyal, fiercely courageous. He stood for what we believed in and never wavered,” Nwoko stated, paying homage to the late nationalist’s resilience and principles.

The senator praised Pa Clark’s sharp intellect and unshakable convictions, recalling his ability to stand firm in the face of power and corruption.

“Sometimes, when I speak, I think of him—his resilience, his audacity. A man who could have been easily swayed by power, yet he chose to lead the fight against corruption,” Nwoko said.

He further emphasized the late leader’s extraordinary memory and sharpness, even in old age.

“His memory amazes me. He had his own mind, never mixed facts, and even in his 90s, his clarity was unmatched. He was different. There will never be another like him. I don’t know anyone as bold, as fearless, or as deeply patriotic,” Nwoko noted.

Expressing his personal sense of loss, the senator admitted that Pa Clark’s passing still felt surreal.

“I thought he would live forever. His passing still doesn’t feel real. Until the very end, his mind was sharp, his spirit unshaken,” he said.

Nwoko concluded his tribute with prayers for the departed elder statesman, affirming that his legacy would endure.

“May his kind soul find eternal rest. He will be deeply missed, forever remembered,” he said.

Pa Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and a prominent voice in Nigeria’s political landscape, was a staunch advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta and a fearless critic of injustice. His passing marks the end of an era for the region and the country at large.