By Kolawole Ojebisi
President Bola Tinubu has expressed great sorrow over the death of Pa. Ayo Adebanjo, an elder-statesman, leader of the Pan- Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere and a pillar of the pro-democracy organ-the National Democratic Coalition(NADECO ) during the era of military dictatorship in Nigeria.
Chief Adebanjo who breathed his last at the ripe of 96 in the early hours of Friday in his home at Lekki, Lagos, was a fierce critic of Military rule, bad governance, nationalist and one of the staunchest of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s disciples.
Tinubu expressed his condolences in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu eulogised Adebanjo’s “decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity”
“I received the news of the passing of one of the Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, 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.” the statement reads in part.
“All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for.”the statement added.
The president noted that the nonagenarian’s interventions in national life will be sorely missed stressing that having lived to the ripe age of 96, Adebanjo’s life calls for contemplation rather than commiseration.
“His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed.
“As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our 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.
“Baba, as a lawyer, statesman, and politician, stood among the last of a generation of nationalists and independent heroes who shaped the foundation of our country.”
Tinubu went down memory lane to reveal how the late Afenifere leader cut his teeth on activism and genuine leadership under the tutelage of the late Premier of the defunct western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He noted that Adebanjo was at the vanguard of the struggle to return Nigeria to civil rule following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
“A devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his contributions spanned political eras, from his role as Organising Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic to his leadership in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic.
“In moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest. When democracy hung in the balance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, he joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as one of the leading voices against military dictatorship, helping to galvanise a movement that became the bedrock of our collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance.”
The statement added, “His unwavering commitment to truth and justice extended to my journey as a governorship candidate in 1999. Baba Adebanjo’s steadfast support was instrumental in my election as Governor of Lagos State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy.
“Though our political paths diverged in later years, my respect and admiration for him never wavered. Until his death, I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Afenifere family, the governors of the Southwest, past and present, and all Nigerians who shared his vision.
“May the soul of this great patriot find eternal rest, and may his ideals, which he so passionately envisioned, forever resonate in our country”
