By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The passing of elder statesman and Niger Delta leader, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has drawn condolences from across the country, including from former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
However, Okowa’s tribute, unlike those of other political figures, was notably absent from formal press releases by his media team and was instead posted solely on his verified Facebook page.
In a brief message, Okowa wrote, “On behalf of my family, I mourn the passing of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, an elder statesman, nationalist, and fearless advocate for the Niger Delta region.
His contributions to the development of our great nation, particularly in the Niger Delta, will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Ijaw nation, and all who were inspired by his leadership. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.”
Clark, a vocal critic of past administrations, had in his lifetime accused Okowa of financial mismanagement, particularly regarding Delta State’s oil derivation funds.
In a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Clark alleged that Okowa diverted the state’s 13% oil derivation funds into a private bank and personal companies instead of allocating the required 50% to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Clark further claimed to have obtained official documents from the Accountant General’s office, which reportedly showed that Delta State received N1.767 trillion in derivation funds between 2007 and December 2022.
According to him, Okowa failed to adhere to the statutory allocation process, choosing instead to release funds in installments and personally approving DESOPADEC contracts.
With Okowa currently under EFCC investigation and his passport seized to prevent foreign travel, his tribute to Clark has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the sincerity of his words given their past disputes.
As Nigeria mourns the passing of one of its most influential voices for regional justice, political observers continue to watch how the allegations against Okowa unfold in the coming months.