The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, is dead.

The death of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader was confirmed by a family representative, Prof. C. C. Clark, on Tuesday.

The statement 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 was a leading voice for regional and national unity. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.

Last October, he set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather Nyesom Wike.

The committee was headed by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.

Clark’s death comes barely four days after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Both statesmen were known to be leading voices in the political development of the country.

The duo joined other patriots to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which was held in Abuja in 2022 to deliberate on the emergence of the next Nigerian President from the South-East.

In November 2023, they, alongside other and other eminent leaders of thought, renewed the calls for the restructuring of the country to achieve a true federal structure.

They called for the adoption and fully implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, arguing that document contains the antidote to the political and socio-economic problems confronting the country.

The Labour Party (LP) has denied zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-East.

LP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the comments credited to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, were taken out of context.

“Labour Party is a national party and has large followership across the country and, therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise,” the statement reads.

According to Ifoh, Abure only advised some South-East members at a gathering on Saturday that Ndigbo could still achieve the presidency if they can reach out to other groups.

The LP spokesman asked the Igbos to forge stronger alliances with other regions to boost their chances in 2027, drawing comparisons to the Yoruba political bloc’s successes through strategic realignments.

“In the 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the north and across the southern states, and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections.

“Candidates for every position must emerge through highly competitive and democratic processes, as the party’s constitution does not permit zoning,” the LP statement read.

“We, therefore, regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context.”

The Nigerian Senate has expressed worry over the whereabout of at least 4,000 firearms, which includes AK-47 rifles, from the Nigeria Police Force.

This sequel to a revelation during a public hearing by the Public Accounts Committee, during an audit report which highlights discrepancies in the police armory records between 2000 and 2020.

During an investigative hearing of the Senate Public Accounts Committee in Abuja ,lawmakers criticized the police for failing to trace the missing weapons and apprehend those responsible.

Concerns were raised that these firearms may have fallen into the wrong hands, worsening the country’s security crisis.

Senators cited previous reports of security personnel selling arms to criminals, stressing that transparency is crucial. They questioned the failure of some police commands to report losses and complete the required Treasury Form 146, which documents missing arms for accountability purposes. They insisted that the matter should be discussed openly, as taxpayers’ money was used to procure the firearms, and Nigerians have a right to know their whereabouts.

Some members of the committee pointed out that police officers who mishandle weapons should face the same scrutiny as civilians arrested for illegal arms possession. They demanded that officers responsible be identified, investigated, and prosecuted if necessary.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole shared a personal experience in the assassination of his aide, highlighting the real-life consequences of missing firearms.

The Senate has now tasked the police with providing a detailed report on the missing firearms, including the names of officers involved, actions taken, and measures to prevent future occurrences.

In response,the Police stated that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regularly audits firearms and that the force is committed to ensuring no weapons go missing.

However, lawmakers insisted on a clear and public explanation of the missing firearms, especially in light of recent security concerns across the country.