The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has expressed his sadness following the death of Edwin Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a renowned elder statesman.

Keyamo shared his condolences in a brief statement on his X handle on Tuesday.

Describing the late Clark as a consummate politician and a fearless critic, Keyamo extolled his contributions to the country, especially his later years as an outspoken critic.

“Our leader and father is gone at a time we needed him most. Pa Edwin Clark, leader of the South-South, father of the nation and quintessential patriot is no more. He was a consummate politician in his heyday and became a fearless and outspoken critic in his later years. He lived a very fulfilled life of service to our country. Condolences to the Clark family and to the nation in general. He will be sorely missed,” Keyamo wrote.

Occidental Online reports that Clark passed away on Monday at the age of 97.

The news of his death was formally conveyed in a statement jointly signed by Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Publicity Secretary/Spokesman of PANDEF; Professor College Clark of the Clark-Fuludu-Bakederemo family of Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF, on Tuesday.