The planned one-week funeral of the national and the Pan Niger Delta (PANDEF) leader, Chief (Dr.) Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON, which began in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, climaxed with the interment of the educator, politician, administrator and legal icon at his hometown, Kiagbodo Town, in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Not surprisingly, the final funeral service was attended largely by the political class including former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former and serving governors, and other public office holders across the country, as well as traditional, religious and business leaders.

For the most part of his life, Pa. Clark, as the Nigerian national leader is being called, spoke truth to power, often rising to defend the marginalized people of the Niger Delta region and other parts of the country, and as a member of the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF).

Buttressing the above fact is one of his famous sayings that was culled from an open published letter to then President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on June 12, 2020, when he brazenly wrote:

"While our resources are being managed, and subjugated, mainly by people from other parts of the country, the people of the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta, who bear the brunt of degradation, arising from the oil and gas exploratory activities, receive mere soupçons, and are rendered spectators of the oil business… I am an old man now, I have just celebrated my 93rd birthday, but it would be unthinkable for me, to keep quiet in the face of such injustice, oppression, and marginalization, unfair and unjust treatment, being practiced against my people. I can say, without doubt, we have never had it so bad. I do not know when it will please the Almighty God to call me home. But, let me sound this note of warning, THINGS CANNOT CONTINUE THIS WAY!"

As Pa. Clark, who transited from the Earth to join his ancestors on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, was laid to rest, the big question that still hangs in the air remains: "HAVE THINGS CHANGED?"

Funny enough is the brutally frank truth that many of the political class who attended and praised the national leader at his funeral are the same set of people whose leadership is not about patriotism but self-seeking, amassing wealth to themselves but will pretend to sing praises to Pa. Clark in the disguise of paying their last honour and respect to the Brutally Frank leader.

Even at death, Pa Clark's voice still echoes loudly from the grave and his message ever remains crystal clear amidst the noises of pretense invoked by those who govern or are in authority. His physical presence may not be here with us but his Spirit will forever abide.

And not until these selfish, tribalistic, egocentric, and corrupt leaders turn over a new leaf and return all the looted funds of the masses in their possession, whatever good they think they are doing to Pa. Clark by their donations or for the masses, will not wipe their slates clean.

Adieu to the Author of Brutally Frank. Rest in Peace until the day of the Reawakening.

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