After Adebanjo, Clark, who mounts southern management’s seat?

The South misplaced two of its most influential voices in a single week. With the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere chief and pro-restructuring advocate, at 96, and Chief Edwin Clark, Niger Delta chief and statesman, at 97, a management vacuum has emerged. LAOLU AFOLABI takes a take a look at the recalibration amid the battle for regional affect and nationwide relevance

The Southern Nigeria suffered two main losses inside every week. On Friday, February 14, 2025, Afenifere chieftain and distinguished advocate for restructuring, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, handed away at 96. Simply days later, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, one other main voice within the name for restructuring and a brand new structure, Pa Edwin Clark, additionally handed on, on the age of 97.

Adebanjo’s demise was introduced in an announcement signed by his three kids: Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo, on Friday. “He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria residence at 96. His perception and battle for a really impartial and progressive Nigeria was complete, and this he fought for till he breathed his final breath,” the household stated.

The late Adebanjo was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village close to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on April 10, 1928. He started his political profession in 1943, following Nnamdi Azikiwe earlier than becoming a member of the youth wing of the Motion Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1951. Nigerians would bear in mind him for his fixed clamour for Nigeria’s restructuring and regional autonomy. He was initially a journalist earlier than learning legislation in the UK. Till his demise, he remained lively and vocal on the problems of Nigerian politics.

President Bola Tinubu had good phrases to explain Pa Adebanjo in his passage. In an announcement by his Particular Adviser on Info and Technique, Bayo Onanuga, the President stated he obtained the information of Pa Adebanjo’s demise with profound sorrow. “Nigeria has misplaced a political chief whose many years of unwavering battle for justice, democracy, and nationwide unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s historical past.”

A viral video which began trending on Tuesday captured the second the late Afenifere chief revealed how the information of his passing could be introduced. Within the video, which featured him and a lady’s voice, recognized as his daughter, he was heard saying, “Ayo Adenbanjo, chief of Afenifere, the controversial man, is gone. He died on the age of 90-something. He spoke final to his daughter.”

The announcement of Clark’s demise, as confirmed in an announcement by a consultant of the household, Prof C. C. Clark, on Tuesday, learn: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo household of Kiagbodo City, Delta State, needs to announce the passing of Chief (Dr) Sen Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, seventeenth February 2025. The household appreciates your prayers presently. Different particulars might be introduced later by the household.”

Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Info, was a revered chief of the Pan-Niger Delta Discussion board. He was born on Could 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, Burutu Native Authorities Space of Delta State. He was a lawyer, an educationist and politician. He was additionally a pacesetter of the Ijaw Nationwide Congress, constantly working for insurance policies that supported the Niger Delta’s development.

The duo of Pa Clark and Pa Adebanjo have been towering figures within the advocacy for Southern pursuits, incomes respect for his or her unwavering stance on key nationwide points. For many years, they championed the causes of true federalism, restructuring, and democratic governance, typically talking fact to energy whatever the political local weather.

As elder statesmen, they performed pivotal roles in galvanising the Southern and Center Belt areas, pushing for insurance policies that will guarantee fairness, justice, and a good distribution of energy in Nigeria’s governance construction. Their voices resonated in nationwide discourse, influencing choices on constitutional reforms, useful resource management, and energy rotation.

With their passing, a major management vacuum has emerged within the Southern political panorama. Many at the moment are questioning who will step ahead to proceed their legacy of fearless advocacy and principled management. The problem forward is not only about filling their sneakers however sustaining the momentum of their lifelong battle for a extra simply and equitable Nigeria.

Earlier than Pa Adebanjo and Pa Clark, a number of robust Southern voices had championed regional and nationwide pursuits in Nigeria. Notable amongst them have been the foremost nationalist and first Premier of the Western Area, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987); the primary President of Nigeria and a key nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996); a distinguished journalist, nationalist and politician who moved the movement for Nigeria’s independence in 1953, Pa Anthony Enahoro (1923–2010); an environmental activist and author who fought for the rights of the Ogoni individuals, Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995); a former governor of Ondo State and chief of Afenifere, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin (1908–1997); one other Afenifere chief, Abraham Adesanya (1922-2008); former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige (1930–2001); a former governor of Imo State, often called ‘Weeping Governor’, Chief Samuel Mbakwe (1929–2004); a robust voice for the Niger Delta and minority rights, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye (1927–2005), amongst others.

Clark, Adebanjo’s southern advocacy

Within the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, Clark and Adebanjo, by way of the Southern and Center Belt Leaders Discussion board, a coalition that performed a major position in shaping nationwide discourse, strongly advocated the zoning of the presidency to the South. Their argument was rooted within the precept of equity and fairness, emphasising that after eight consecutive years of northern management, it was solely only for energy to shift to the South.

Following intensive deliberations, the discussion board endorsed the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, as their most popular selection for the presidency. Adebanjo, specifically, was an outspoken supporter of Obi and was actively concerned within the marketing campaign, even making a bodily look on the Labour Party rally in Ibadan, Oyo State. Obi’s endorsement by the discussion board, alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was a defining second within the election.

Who steps up?

With the exit of those two icons, there’s a rising uncertainty about who will take up the mantle of Southern management. The SMBLF, which contains Afenifere, PANDEF, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and the Center Belt Discussion board, is anticipated to realign its methods and probably produce new faces who will proceed advocating regional fairness and energy shifts.

One of many key challenges in changing Adebanjo and Clark is sustaining a united entrance amongst Southern leaders. Traditionally, divisions amongst Yoruba, Igbo, and Niger Delta leaders have weakened their collective bargaining energy. The query now could be whether or not the present leaders can put aside private pursuits and regional variations to current a formidable pressure in nationwide politics.

Whereas Afenifere and PANDEF have misplaced the main voices, the Center Belt Discussion board nonetheless has its President, Dr Pogu Bitrus, who is thought for his robust stance towards northern dominance. There may be additionally Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, a robust voice from the South-South, who has been advocating for useful resource management and political inclusivity.

Talking with The PidomNigeria, a chieftain of Afenifere, Gboyega Adejumo, described Adebanjo as a steadfast disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a tireless advocate for true federalism and regional autonomy. He famous that Adebanjo’s passing leaves a major management vacuum in Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation.

In accordance with Adejumo, the group will now look as much as key figures corresponding to Supo Shonibare, a son of a late distinguished Afenifere founder; Tokunbo Ajasin, one other son of a foremost chief a NADECO chieftain, Ayo Opadokun and a former board member of the First Metropolis Monument Financial institution, Tola Mobulurin to step up and supply the management wanted to maintain the organisation’s legacy.

Equally, within the South-South, PANDEF will depend on the likes of its Nationwide Chairman, Amb Dr Godknows Igali, alongside distinguished intellectuals and political figures corresponding to Professor G. G. Darah and Sir Obiuwevbi Ominimini, to proceed the advocacy for regional fairness and useful resource management.

A former Vice-Chancellor of Federal College, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof Kayode Soremekun, differed. He stated the media would probably promote who turns into the champion of the area. He stated with the passage of each Adebanjo and Clark, the following voice for the areas would depend upon the steadiness of forces and media savvy.

Within the coming months, political observers might be watching intently to see who emerges as the brand new voice of the South. Will or not it’s a person or a collective management by way of the SMBLF? Will Southern leaders be capable of consolidate their calls for and affect the following nationwide management? These questions will form the political panorama as Nigeria strikes in the direction of one other election cycle.