By Kolawole Ojebisi
Elderstatesman and leader of the Pan-Yoruba the socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has died at the age of 96.
The Elderstateman-nationalist, who was also at various times a chieftain of the pro-democracy coalition, known as National Democratic Coalition(NADECO) during the dark era of military dictatorship in Nigeria, and admired for his vociferous criticism of bad governance, died on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State.
The family confirmed the death in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday.
Late Ayo Adebanjo was a resilient force in the pre-independence struggle in Nigeria and a reliable, ardent and trusted disciple of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Political analysts believe his death marks the end of a long political chapter in Nigeria as many of his contemporaries and allies including Pa Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Mokwugu Okoye, Chief MT Mbu, Chief David Dafinone, Pa Alfred Rewane, amongst others have earlier departed.
