By Ayomide Otitoju
Tributes continue to flow in for Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the revered elder statesman and Afenifere leader, who passed away at the age of 96. President Bola Tinubu, governors, political figures, and the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere have all expressed their condolences, reflecting on his immense contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape.
Tinubu Mourns ‘A Principled Voice’
President Tinubu, in a statement on Friday, said he received the news of Adebanjo’s passing “with profound sorrow,” describing him as a “political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history.”
He praised the late Afenifere chieftain as a principled voice in national affairs, whose interventions enriched political discourse.
“Though we mourn his departure, we are also grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life—96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity,” Tinubu said.
The President also acknowledged that in times of national crisis, Adebanjo’s courage shone brightest, adding that despite their differing political paths in later years, his respect and admiration for the late leader never wavered.
“Until his death, I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure,” Tinubu stated, offering condolences to his family.
Afenifere: ‘We Have Lost a Pillar’
The Afenifere group, which Adebanjo led and shaped over the years, described his passing as a great loss. The group’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, paid tribute to his lifelong commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggles.
“A patriot par excellence, his contributions during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as the restoration and sustenance of democracy shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” Fasoranti said.
He further described Adebanjo as “an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes”, emphasizing that members of Afenifere would greatly miss their fallen hero.
Peter Obi: ‘A Great Pillar in the Struggle for a New Nigeria’
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, who received Adebanjo’s endorsement in the 2023 elections, also paid tribute, hailing him as a steadfast advocate for a united and progressive Nigeria.
“My family and the Obidient Movement got the shocking news of the passing of our dear father and leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria,” Obi wrote.
He commended the late leader’s unwavering commitment to fairness, urging Nigerians to uphold his legacy.
“As we mourn his departure, let us also celebrate a life well-lived in service to humanity and commit ourselves to upholding the values he so passionately championed,” Obi added.
The passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo marks the end of an era for Afenifere and Nigeria’s democratic movement. His legacy of political activism, justice, and fairness remains a guiding light for the country’s democratic future.
