•How Nigeria’s powerbrokers, other sympathisers reviewed Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s life
SEGUN KASALI writes on the reflections of personalities on the life and times of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, during their respective visits to the residence of the elderstateman in Lagos.
Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away on February 14, 2025, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State, was a distinguished Nigerian nationalist, lawyer, and leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere. The 96-year-old nationalist dedicated over seven decades of his life to the pursuit of democracy, justice, and true federalism in Nigeria.
Throughout his illustrious career, Adebanjo was renowned for his unwavering commitment to political integrity and activism. As a close associate and disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was instrumental in the formation of Afenifere in 1993, advocating for Yoruba interests and democratic reforms. His steadfast dedication to restructuring Nigeria into a true federal state remained a central theme of his activism until his passing.
The general belief that the nation mourns when a great man dies was given intuitive justification following the vigil being kept at Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki, Lagos. Since his demise mornings, afternoons and nights never went away without the visits of dignitaries, mentees, political affiliates, friends and associates who continued to shower encomiums for his life with emphasis on his passion for a good Nigeria.
Amongst those who paid condolence visit at Pa Adebanjo’s residence were former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; and so many others. Below are excerpts from statements made during the visits and from the condolence register.
Pa Adebanjo once told me it is time to go ―Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed how the deceased once told him it was time to go.
Obasanjo said the late Afenifere leader asked him if there was anything he had not done and he replied him by saying “nothing”.
“Pa Adebanjo is my elder brother. The last time I visited Pa Adebanjo, I went inside his bedroom to discuss with him.
“He asked me ‘is there anything I have not done?’ and I said nothing. Pa Adebanjo then said it is time to go.”
Obasanjo in the condolence register wished the Yoruba leader eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.
“Egbon sun re (Elder brother, rest well),” he said.
Pa Adebanjo was a respected political leader ―Tinubu
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu described the late Afenifere chieftain as a respected political leader during a condolence visit to his family in Lekki, Lagos.
The first lady, during the visit, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see the elder statesman shortly before his passing.
She offered prayers for the repose of his soul and strength for his widow, Chief (Mrs) Christiana Ayo Adebanjo, and the entire family. Despite political differences, she emphasised that the late Adebanjo remained family.
I’ve ordered SSG to work with family for befitting burial plans ―Gov Abiodun
Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, said he has ordered the Secretary to the State Government of the State to work with the family in planning a befitting burial for the deceased.
Dapo expressed the pain of the people of his state over Adebanjo’s passing, praying that God grant his soul peace.
“I have ordered my SSG to work with the family of Pa Adebanjo as they plan a befitting burial for Pa Adebanjo.
“We the people of Ogun State are pained over his passing, likewise Nigerians. We pray that God will grant his soul peace.
“We are between mourning Pa Adebanjo to celebrate his life on earth,” he said.
Papa prepared us for his passing ―Pa Adebanjo’s daughter
Adebanjo’s daughter, Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo Adebanjo), said Pa Adebanjo prepared them for his passing.
She described his passing on Valentine’s Day as symbolic because her dad loves Nigeria.
Azeez noted that her dad loves the country more than his children.
“Dad passed this morning. He has prepared all of us. I think his passing on the 14th of February is symbolic in the sense that my father loved this country.
“I would tell you that my father loved Nigeria more than his children. Everything was E wa bi e se ma lo tun ilu yi se (please go and find ways to make the country better). Since his passing, my phone has been ringing as expected.
“I am lucky because my dad is 96 and about to be 97. My 94-year-old mother is also alive. My father usually says ‘I am a disgruntled Nigerian’. Nigeria will begin to turn to where it ought to be,” she said.
Yoruba nation has lost the titan ―Gbenga Daniel
Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said the Yoruba nation has lost a titan and Nigeria has lost the voice of reason.
Daniel described his death as a new dawn and era, noting that Pa Adebanjo lived well and remained principled till he died.
“It is a new day and a new era. We have lost our father. Yoruba nation has lost the titan. Nigeria has lost the voice of reason.
“I don’t think it is going to be the same again. At 96, you can only thank the almighty God that he lived a good life. He lived well. He stood for the truth.
“He remained principled till the end. He is a pride of the Yoruba nation,” he said.
On the lessons learnt, Senator Daniel said there is no shortcut to whatever man does, noting that it has to be about honesty, boldness and standing firm.
He said: “At the end of the day, there is no short cut to whatever we do. It has to be about being honest, bold and standing for what you believe.”
One lesson from him is principles must not be compromised ―Aare Ona kakanfo
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said one lesson from Pa Adebanjo’s lifetime is that principles must not be compromised.
Adams explained that the deceased stood firm to his beliefs and could not be shifted.
He noted that the crux of his struggle was for the masses, describing him as an apostle of true federalism.
Aare noted that he was a strong believer of restructuring, describing as unfortunate that he could not achieve that before his passing.
“One of the things we learnt from Baba is that you must not compromise your principles.
“Baba was someone that if he believes in one thing, no one can easily shift him.
“The crux of his struggles was for the masses. He was an apostle of true federalism.
“The song in his mouth before passing was that let Nigeria be restructured. Let the federating units be.
“It is unfortunate that he couldn’t achieve this in his lifetime. Baba is gone and has left the battle for us to continue,” he said.
Pa Adebanjo made kidnappings in Yorubaland impossible ―Agbekoya
President General of Agbekoya Farmers Association, Chief Kamorudeen Aremu, has disclosed that the efforts of the late Pa Adebanjo made it possible for the eradication of incessant kidnappings in Yorubaland back then.
He explained that Pa Adebanjo questioned the activities of the Agbekoya group when kidnapping was serious in the South-West back then and consequently motivated them to nip the situation in the bud.
The president described him as a wonderful man with excessive love for the Yoruba race.
Aremu said: “During incessant kidnappings in Yorubaland, he was the only one who called and questioned our activities.
“He told us to go inside the bush and do whatever we can to nip the situation in the bud.
“The eradication of kidnapping in Yorubaland was made possible my Pa Adebanjo.
“He was a wonderful man. He is a man of honour. It will be difficult to see someone like the deceased. He loved Yoruba too much.”
Nigeria has lost a legend ―Bode George
An elderstatesman, Chief Bode George, said the nation has lost a legend, who was forthright, loyal and committed.
George said the deceased stood his ground for justice, equity and fairness.
This was just as he said he would miss him because he usually called on him whenever situation appeared cloudy.
He, therefore, enjoined people to be dedicated to justice and fairness.
“This nation has lost a legend. He was a forthright, loyal, and committed Nigerian. For a long time, Papa stood his ground for justice, fairness and equity.
“I will miss him because sometimes when I get a bit cloudy, I will pop in here and sit with him to clear the air.
“I pray the almighty God grants him eternal rest. Dedication, justice, fairness are the tenets he left behind,” he said.
Adebanjo’s death is a glorious end to glorious exit ―Osuntokun
Political scientist, Chief Akin Osuntokun, described Adebanjo’s death as a glorious end to a glorious life.
Osuntokun said the last Afenifere chieftain came, saw and conquered, noting that he was one of the last of the titans.
“It is a glorious end to a glorious life. Like the scripture says, he came, he saw and he conquered.
“He was one of the last of the titans,” he said.
He followed Awolowo’s template ―Shonibare
A member of Afenifere, Supo Shonibare, said papa had been unwell for some time, preparing them for his death.
Shonibare noted that he had 40 years relationship with him, describing him as an exemplar and a follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s template.
“He had been unwell for some time. He has been preparing us for this moment for about a year now. I have had about 40 year’s relationship with him in the group.
“He is an exemplar following Chief Awolowo’s template. He believes in Chief Awolowo’s principle of believing in the collective with non-sectional interest,” Shonibare said.
An Iroko has fallen ―Shobanjo
Media guru, Biodun Shobanjo, described late Adebanjo as a man of truth, honour and integrity.
Shobanjo said the deceased was a true disciple of Chief Awolowo, who stood by his beliefs.
“What can I say? An iroko has fallen. A man of truth, honour and integrity.
“A true disciple of Chief Awolowo. A man who stood by what he believed till the end. Baba, rest in peace,” Shobanjo said.
He was an epitome of equity, fairness and justice ―Alapini
Tunji Alapini described papa as an epitome of equity, fairness and justice.
He said: “Papa! Epitome of equity, fairness and justice. Rest in perfect peace.”
I’ve been Papa’s driver since 1997 ―Garba
Papa’s driver for 28 years, Sunday Garba-Ola, described him as a great man who took him like his son, revealing that papa trained his first son from primary to university and even got him a good job.
He stated that papa will forever be missed considering his straightforwardness.
“I was employed since 1997. Since then, I have been with baba. He is a great man. He took me like his son.
“If I make any mistake, papa will correct me. Papa trained my first son from primary school to the university level.
“I pray that God grants him eternal rest. If you are a straightforward man, papa will be your best friend,” he said.
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