…It’s total eclipse for his unwavering stance on restructuring, true federalism
…Deluge of tributes on his life & time
The death last Friday of Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, ended his many decades of campaign for a true Nigerian state.
Until his death, he strongly believed that Nigeria was powering far below its potentials, and he did not mince words to air his views at the risk of his own personal hurt.
Whenever the dream Nigeria is realised, Adebanjo would be remembered as one of those who laid the foundation through his advocacy and courage to tell truth to the powers that be.
Adebanjo’s advocacy for a progressive and United Nigeria was not diminished with his age.
Although he was over 96 years old, a rare privilege in a country with life expectancy of 56.05 years (as of October 2024), he neither lost hope in Nigeria nor adopt a leissez-faire attitude even when things seemed to remain the same politically.
Like Moses, Adebanjo saw from afar the Nigerian Canaan he envisioned. He sang about a Nigerian Canaan where: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand…a nation, where no man is oppressed.”
But at the time he breathed his last on Friday, it is doubtful if he realised the dream of handing “on to our children, A banner without stain.”
Read also: Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere leader, is dead
News of his death
A statement by his family disclosed that the chieftain of the Afenifere died at his Lekki, Lagos State residence.
Known for his activism, advocacy for good governance, accountability and opposition to tyrannical rule, Adebanjo meant so many things to many Nigerians.
The elder statesman was a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history, from the colonial era, military rule and present-day Nigeria.
Along with his political associates, he championed democracy and yearned for a better Nigeria for all.
He was perhaps, one of the few remaining nationalists and had constantly expressed dismay with the stagnation of Nigeria, especially when compared with other less-endowed nations.
His politics and nationalistic view
Adebanjo, together with other pro-democracy activists in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) campaign against the military rule, following the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, this eventually led to the military returning power to civilians in 1999.
Particularly, many citizens would remember him for his constant clamour for Nigeria’s restructuring and regional autonomy. In any given chance, the nonagenarian did not miss the opportunity to tell those in authority and Nigerians at large that the present structure of the country and 1999 Constitution was responsible for the nation’s woes.
Adebanjo was initially a journalist before studying law in the United Kingdom. Until his death, he remained active and vocal on the issue of Nigerian politics.
In the run-up to the 2023 presidential poll, many would remember him for his constant plea for Nigerians to vote wisely, for someone who would reposition the country and provide good governance, while constantly saying that he had little time left to spend on earth.
Despite pressures from some of his political associates, Adebanjo had thrown his weight alongside some of his Afenifere members behind the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election.
The decision did not go down well with a lot of leaders in South Western Nigeria.
The late Adebanjo was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, on April 10, 1928. He began his political journey in 1943 as a follower of Nnamdi Azikiwe before joining the Action Group in 1951.
The Afenifere chieftain was also a mentee and political disciple of the late Obafemi Awolowo, this saw him become a member of the Action Group youth wing in 1951 and later became the organising secretary of the party.
Initially, Adebanjo started his political journey in 1943 as a follower of Nnamdi Azikiwe before joining the Action Group in 1951.
Read also: Ayo Adebanjo: Life dedicated to Nigeria’s democracy
Deluge of tributes
Since the announcement of his death many Nigerians including President Bola Tinubu have eulogised Adebanjo’s virtues.
Many Nigerians say the nationalist would be sorely missed for his sincere and passionate approach to national issues.
In a message, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the passing, describing him as a fearless advocate for truth, justice, and democracy.
In a personal condolence message, Tinubu paid tribute to Adebanjo’s legacy, acknowledging his lifelong commitment to Nigeria’s progress and national unity.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described his death as a great loss to Nigeria.
In a statement signed on Friday, Atiku lauded the late Afenifere leader for his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and good governance, noting that he was one of the last remaining nationalists who dedicated his life to the progress of the country.
“I am saddened by the news of the passing away of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a foremost elder statesman and one of the few remaining nationalists of our country,” Atiku stated.
He described Adebanjo as a formidable force and a fearless fighter who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
“I can vividly recall the heroic role that Pa Adebanjo played in wresting power from the military and enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria. He was at the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship,” he added.
Atiku highlighted Adebanjo’s lifelong struggle for justice, stating that his activism spanned several generations.
“It is on record that Pa Adebanjo spent his entire youthful days fighting against colonial rule; spent his middle age fighting against military dictatorship, and his latter days ensuring that good governance, rule of law, and democracy took firm roots in Nigeria,” he said.
Similarly, Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, has mourned Adebanjo, saying he has lost his comrade-in-arms.
In a statement he personally signed, Fasoranti expressed shock and sorrow over Adebanjo’s death at the age of 96.
The statement read: “It is with great shock and sorrow that I received the news of the passing into glory of Chief Samuel Ayodeji Adebanjo, my brother, comrade-in-arms and political associate for upwards of 70 years.
“A patriot par excellence, his contributions during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as during struggles for the restoration and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
“He was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere where he was once the Acting Leader. Members of the Afenifere family will greatly miss this fallen hero.
“Chief Adebanjo was a custodian of positive values that define progressive politics in Nigeria. As a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, he was committed to the principles of good governance, rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights of Nigerians.”
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, urged Nigerians not to mark Adebanjo’s passing as the end of his lifelong fight for fairness, equity, and democracy. Rather, Obi asked Nigerians to transform their grief into action, ensuring that the values Adebanjo championed do not die with him.
“May his death serve as a renewed call to action for all who believe in justice and fairness,” Obi declared in his heartfelt tribute.
“Pa Adebanjo was more than a political leader; he was a fearless advocate for truth, standing against oppression, injustice, and bad governance for decades.”
Obi recalled their final conversation, where the elder statesman left him with a powerful message: “Always stand on the path of justice.” This, Obi said, will continue to guide his political journey and should inspire Nigerians to fight harder for a just and equitable society.
“Pa Adebanjo’s passing is not just a moment of national mourning; it is a wake-up call. The struggle for a Nigeria built on justice, fairness, and inclusion is far from over”.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House of Representatives, described the demise of the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, as the end of an era.
Speaker Abbas said Adebanjo would be remembered as an elder statesman and a foremost nationalist who fought for justice, unity, and equity among the religious and ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
In a condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker noted the roles played by Adebanjo and other progressives in the country in the fight for the return of democracy.
The Speaker also recalled how Adebanjo, even as a nonagenarian, continued to contribute to public discourse on burning national issues, with the government and the people benefiting from his wealth of experience and wisdom.
English (US) ·