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

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

The Southern Nigeria suffered two major losses within a week. On Friday, February 14, 2025, Afenifere chieftain and prominent advocate for restructuring, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, passed away at 96. Just days later, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, another leading voice in the call for restructuring and a new constitution, Pa Edwin Clark, also passed on, at the age of 97.

Adebanjo’s death was announced in a statement signed by his three children: 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 home at 96. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath,” the family said.

The late Adebanjo was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on April 10, 1928. He began his political career in 1943, following Nnamdi Azikiwe before joining the youth wing of the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1951. Nigerians would remember him for his constant clamour for Nigeria’s restructuring and regional autonomy. He was initially a journalist before studying law in the United Kingdom. Until his death, he remained active and vocal on the issues of Nigerian politics.

President Bola Tinubu had good words to describe Pa Adebanjo in his passage. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he received the news of Pa Adebanjo’s death with profound sorrow. “Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.”

A viral video which started trending on Tuesday captured the moment the late Afenifere leader revealed how the news of his passing would be announced. In the video, which featured him and a woman’s voice, identified as his daughter, he was heard saying, “Ayo Adenbanjo, leader of Afenifere, the controversial man, is gone. He died at the age of 90-something. He spoke last to his daughter.”

The announcement of Clark’s death, as confirmed in a statement by a representative of the family, Prof C. C. Clark, on Tuesday, read: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr) Sen Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025. The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, was a respected leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum. He was born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. He was a lawyer, an educationist and politician. He was also a leader of the Ijaw National Congress, consistently working for policies that supported the Niger Delta’s growth.

The duo of Pa Clark and Pa Adebanjo were towering figures in the advocacy for Southern interests, earning respect for their unwavering stance on key national issues. For decades, they championed the causes of true federalism, restructuring, and democratic governance, often speaking truth to power regardless of the political climate.

As elder statesmen, they played pivotal roles in galvanising the Southern and Middle Belt regions, pushing for policies that would ensure equity, justice, and a fair distribution of power in Nigeria’s governance structure. Their voices resonated in national discourse, influencing decisions on constitutional reforms, resource control, and power rotation.

With their passing, a significant leadership vacuum has emerged in the Southern political landscape. Many are now wondering who will step forward to continue their legacy of fearless advocacy and principled leadership. The challenge ahead is not just about filling their shoes but sustaining the momentum of their lifelong struggle for a more just and equitable Nigeria.

Before Pa Adebanjo and Pa Clark, several strong Southern voices had championed regional and national interests in Nigeria. Notable among them were the foremost nationalist and first Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987); the first President of Nigeria and a key nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996); a prominent journalist, nationalist and politician who moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953, Pa Anthony Enahoro (1923–2010); an environmental activist and writer who fought for the rights of the Ogoni people, Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995); a former governor of Ondo State and leader of Afenifere, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin (1908–1997); another Afenifere leader, 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, known as ‘Weeping Governor’, Chief Samuel Mbakwe (1929–2004); a strong voice for the Niger Delta and minority rights, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye (1927–2005), among others.

Clark, Adebanjo’s southern advocacy

In the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, Clark and Adebanjo, through the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, a coalition that played a significant role in shaping national discourse, strongly advocated the zoning of the presidency to the South. Their argument was rooted in the principle of fairness and equity, emphasising that after eight consecutive years of northern leadership, it was only just for power to shift to the South.

Following extensive deliberations, the forum endorsed the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, as their preferred choice for the presidency. Adebanjo, in particular, was an outspoken supporter of Obi and was actively involved in the campaign, even making a physical appearance at the Labour Party rally in Ibadan, Oyo State. Obi’s endorsement by the forum, alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was a defining moment in the election.

Who steps up?

With the exit of these two icons, there is a growing uncertainty about who will take up the mantle of Southern leadership. The SMBLF, which comprises Afenifere, PANDEF, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and the Middle Belt Forum, is expected to realign its strategies and possibly produce new faces who will continue advocating regional equity and power shifts.

One of the key challenges in replacing Adebanjo and Clark is maintaining a united front among Southern leaders. Historically, divisions among Yoruba, Igbo, and Niger Delta leaders have weakened their collective bargaining power. The question now is whether the existing leaders can set aside personal interests and regional differences to present a formidable force in national politics.

While Afenifere and PANDEF have lost the leading voices, the Middle Belt Forum still has its President, Dr Pogu Bitrus, who is known for his strong stance against northern dominance. There is also Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, a strong voice from the South-South, who has been advocating for resource control and political inclusivity.

Speaking with The PUNCH, 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 noted that Adebanjo’s passing leaves a significant leadership vacuum in Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation.

According to Adejumo, the group will now look up to key figures such as Supo Shonibare, a son of a late prominent Afenifere founder; Tokunbo Ajasin, another son of a foremost leader a NADECO chieftain, Ayo Opadokun and a former board member of the First City Monument Bank, Tola Mobulurin to step up and provide the leadership needed to sustain the organisation’s legacy.

Similarly, in the South-South, PANDEF will rely on the likes of its National Chairman, Amb Dr Godknows Igali, alongside prominent intellectuals and political figures such as Professor G. G. Darah and Sir Obiuwevbi Ominimini, to continue the advocacy for regional equity and resource control.

A former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof Kayode Soremekun, differed. He said the media would likely promote who becomes the champion of the region. He said with the passage of both Adebanjo and Clark, the next voice for the regions would depend on the balance of forces and media savvy.

In the coming months, political observers will be watching closely to see who emerges as the new voice of the South. Will it be an individual or a collective leadership through the SMBLF? Will Southern leaders be able to consolidate their demands and influence the next national leadership? These questions will shape the political landscape as Nigeria moves towards another election cycle.