The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere have both mourned the foremost nationalist, elder statesman, and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing his demise as the end of a glorious era.
Adebanjo died at 96 on Friday at his Lekki residence, in Lagos State.
In a separate statement issued on Friday, Abiodun described Adebanjo as a man of principle and one of the most prominent and unwavering disciples of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Abiodun, who described Adebanjo’s death as a profound loss to Nigeria, said the government and people of Ogun State could not have wished for a more glorious end for the unblemished apostle of federalism, good governance, and the defense of Yoruba interests, who stood head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries and set the pace in the critical appraisal of governments and governance as vehicles of social engineering.
He described the late legal and political icon as one of the few Nigerians whose life embodied the story of Nigeria, from the struggle for independence to the post-independence era, straddling military rule and the return to democratic rule, together with all the joys and pains of those epochal moments.
He added: “To all intents and purposes, Chief Ayo Adebanjo represented the finest of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole, and his ideals will never be forgotten. It does not matter where you stand in the political terrain: Adebanjo was a man whose integrity you could not question.
“He lived through the finest and ugliest moments of Nigerian history, was hounded by the Establishment for his beliefs, and was even exiled for resisting autocracy and the suppression of the masses, and never once hid his identity as a passionate defender of the Yoruba nation and its interests, regardless of whose horse was gored.
“From his activist beginnings in 1943 as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to his activities as a member of the youth wing of the Action Group in 1951, right into the early ’60s, where the sage and his lieutenants stood trial for treason, and right into the heady days of the military and the return to civil rule when he actively engaged governments and participated in constitutional conferences to remake the structure, character, and temper of Nigerian federalism, Adebanjo never once refrained from being a voice of courage and a force for good. In particular, his strident advocacy for federalism was unmatched.
“We are still coming to terms with the reality of his passing, but let us just note that we are profoundly grateful to the Almighty God for giving us such a gem in Ogun State. He will be sorely missed.”
Similarly, in a statement issued to announce the demise of the foremost Yoruba leader by Sola Ebiseni, the Secretary General of the Afenifere, the organisation described Pa Adebanjo as “An avowed Awoist and progressive school of thought, known for his central stage advocacy of restructuring, true federalism and a Nigeria of equity, fairness and a true sense of belonging for its constituent ethnic nationalities”
The statements partly read, “Afenifere wishes to formally announce the demise early today, February 14, 2025, of our Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, at the age of 96.
“An avowed Awoist and progressive school of thought, Ayo Adebanjo was known for his central stage advocacy of restructuring, true federalism, and a Nigeria of equity, fairness, and a true sense of belonging for its constituent ethnic nationalities.
“For about a decade, Baba had often reminded his followers that at his age, he was already at the “departure lounge” to strengthen us for the continued struggle for a better Nigeria, a country he truly loved. We will undauntedly keep the banner afloat.
“Subsequent statements will be made available as directed by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan in consultation with Baba’s immediate family.”
