•Ooni, Akpabio, Fayemi, Amosun, CUPP, others mourn
OHANAEZE Ndigbo Worldwide has described Pa Ayo Adebanjo as a paragon of friendship and solidarity towards the Igbo.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo disclosed this in a statement signed by the Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Saturday while sympathising with the Afenifere on the death of their leader.
According to the Ohanaeze, Pa Adebanjo’s unwavering support for the Igbo nation during the 2023 general election spoke volumes about his dedication to fostering unity.
The statement reads in part “In a poignant moment for the Igbo Nation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex sociocultural organization representing our people, is compelled to express our profound sorrow at the shocking news of the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
“The announcement of his passing has reverberated through our hearts and minds, invoking a deep and collective mourning for a man who stood steadfast as a paragon of friendship and solidarity toward the Igbo.
“In steadfast adherence to the rich traditions of our culture, Ohanaeze Ndigbo declares a period of mourning spanning two traditional Igbo market days. This solemn observance honors the memory of this illustrious leader of the Afenifere, the foremost Yoruba sociocultural organisation, whose departure we regard as a tremendous national loss for Nigeria.
“His lifetime of dedication and service reflects an unwavering commitment to the collective aspirations of diverse ethnicities across the region.
“Pa Adebanjo was a relentless champion of justice and equity, whose profound belief in the oneness of Nigeria transcended the shackles of tribal rivalry. His death represents a grievous void, particularly within the Middle Belt–Southern Nigerian Forum, through which he significantly contributed as a bona fide member. Here, we find unity in our shared grief— a tribute to a man whose vision extended beyond tribal lines.”
Adebanjo, a renowned advocate of good governance and rule of law died peacefully at his home in Lekki, Lagos State at the age of 96 according to family sources.
Adebanjo’s passing, end of an era —Akpabio
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has described the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo as the end of an era.
Akpabio, in a statement he signed in Abuja on Saturday, said he received the news of passing of Pa Adebanjo with profound sadness.
According to him, “Pa Adebanjo’s glorious exit at the age of 96 marks the end of an era, and as a people, we mourn the loss of a selfless patriot, who dedicated his life to fighting for truth, equity and justice.
“His unwavering commitment to the principles of justice and equity has left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
“His leadership and vision inspired generations, and his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us to work toward a more just and equitable society.”
Adebanjo, guardian of Yoruba ideals, says Ooni
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, paid tributes to the late Adebanjo, describing him as not just a political figure, but a guardian of Yoruba ideals.
“Ogunwusi joins other eminent Yoruba people to celebrate the passage of an iconic elder statesman, Adebanjo, who died at the age of 96.
“Ooni does not mourn, but rather celebrates the legacy and indelible impact of those who have walked the path of honour and left behind footprints of greatness,” a statement by Mr Moses Olafare, the Director, Media and Public Affairs to the Oba, said on Saturday.
The traditional ruler also described Adebanjo as a relentless advocate for fairness, equity, and the true federalism upon which Nigeria was envisioned.
Ogunwusi said that the voice of the deceased was always firm and unrelenting and was a moral compass for generations of leaders and followers alike.
He said that Pa Adebanjo lived and fought for democracy, justice, and the welfare of the common man, standing tall even in the face of opposition.
“Pa Adebanjo’s transition is not an end but a passage into the realm of the ancestors where he has joined the league of great Yoruba forebears like late Obafemi Awolowo, late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi and all other true Awoists who shaped the destiny of our people.
“His exemplary life serves as an eternal blueprint for leadership, courage, and selfless service.
“The House of Oduduwa celebrates his legacy, praying that the ideals he upheld will continue to guide our leaders and inspire the younger generation to embrace the values of truth, justice, and unity.
“May his soul find rest among the noble ones of our land,” Ooni Ogunwusi prayed.
We’ve lost a gem, kingmaker —NADECO
National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) says it has lost a gem and kingmaker in the death of the Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
A NADECO chieftain, Mr Ayo Opadokun, who led an eight-man delegation on a condolence visit to the Adebanjo family, said that the group would continue to mourn the elder statesman.
Addressing newsmen, Opadokun said that Adebanjo, as at the time of his exit from the terrestrial divide, was the oldest member of the defunct Action Group (AG).
He said that Adebanjo was one of the first provincial organising secretaries of AG, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Chief Adebanjo was known for being a man of conviction throughout his life span. He was a distinguished apostle of Awoism and the egalitarian philosophy of life more abundant and welfarism.
“These were embodied in the AG, Unity Party of Nigeria and the Alliance for Democracy, which he chaired after the unfortunate departure of Ambassador Jolly Tanko Yusuf.
“Chief Adebanjo was a man of discipline, courage and industry, as he was always committing himself to anything he had voluntarily associated himself with.
“Chief Adebanjo was never missing in the thick of Afenifere and NADECO’s many brushes with the Nigerian state coercive agents,” he said.
Opadokun said that the late elder statesman advocated Nigeria’s adoption of federalism as its system of government.
He said that Adebanjo did all these because of the recognition by AG that Nigeria, being a heterogeneous country, should have a mode of government that allowed for free reigns of all the country’s diversities but united as federation of regions.
“Adebanjo was an accomplished kingmaker of sort, as many people were groomed under his influence,” the NADECO chieftain remarked.
According to him, the late elder statesman was one of the founders of NADECO, adding that he was a dedicated patriot.
Responding, Adebanjo’s first daughter, Mrs Adeola Azeez, commended NADECO for its support.
She described her father’s passing as a great loss to Nigeria, the Yoruba people, and everyone who knew him.
He stood for people’s rights, democracy —PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the death of the leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as a national tragedy.
In a statement on Saturday by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, the main opposition party expressed its deep sadness at the demise of the elder statesman, nationalist and a foremost advocate of democracy in Nigeria.
It said Chief Adebanjo was a fearless lawyer, forthright and principled politician, uncompromising democrat and leading national light who stood for the people’s rights in the entrenchment of democratic tenets of adherence to the rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability, social welfare, justice, equity, fairness and mutual respect in our national life.
“He was a national Icon, a torchbearer, leading epitome of truth and passionate advocate of true federalism, restructuring and devolution of powers which are the only workable templates of effective governance, political stability and more peaceful co-existence in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society such as Nigeria.
“Chief Adebanjo was an audacious and outspoken patriot who remained steadfast to his commitment towards the unity, stability and development of our nation by always pointing to the truth, proffered practical solutions for knotty national issues and served as a source of inspiration, vision and direction especially for the contemporary generation of leaders.
“Through the years, as one of the fighters for our nation’s independence, staunch member of the then Zikist Movement and later the Organizing Secretary of the Action Group (AG); a prominent figure in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and leader of Afenifere, Chief Adebanjo distinguished himself as a true nationalist who put the interest of the nation and wellbeing of Nigerians above every other consideration,” the party stated.
PDP added that his death at this critical time is therefore a huge blow to the nation as he left the stage when his wealth of experience, wisdom and direction are needed the most..
Adebanjo courageous fighter, political titan —Amosun
A former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Saturday described Pa Ayo Adebanjo as a courageous fighter and political titan whose character deserved emulation.
Amosun, in a statement in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, described the death of the elder statesman as shocking.
Amosun said that Adebanjo was a respected elder statesman, champion of democracy and proud advocate for the Yoruba people.
He stated that Adebanjo contributed immensely to the development of Ogun State, the South-West zone and Nigeria in general.
The former governor also said that the deceased was a courageous leader, with unwavering commitment to democracy, justice and the advancement of the Yoruba people.
Amosun recalled the roles played by the late Afenifere leader, alongside other eminent leaders of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to end military rule in Nigeria.
Adebanjo was a nationalist, had culture of consistency —Arewa leader
The National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the family of late Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Speaking with newsmen after meeting with the family, Shettima said: “Baba had lived a fulfilled life. Some of us are proponents of restructuring and that is what he stood for till the end. We will continue to build on what he built and what he stood for.”
He described Adebanjo as a foremost nationalist and a great mentor to many.
Shettima added: “Baba has always been a nationalist par excellence. I am here because I was always very close to him.
“He (Adebanjo) mentored us seriously. Despite our differences and background, he was always a great nationalist and had this culture of consistency.”
The Arewa leader said that late Adebanjo lived and stood for justice, fairness and equity.
Adebanjo an exemplary patriot, a detribalized Nigerian —CUPP
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has expressed shock over the death of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing the elder statesman as a great and exemplary patriot.
Spokesperson of the coalition, Mark Adebayo, said this in a release made available to our correspondent, and further described Chief Adebanjo as a completely detribalized Nigerian who stood for justice and what was right at all times not minding the personal costs or inconvenience to him.
According to him, the deceased elder statesman was a man dedicated to the cause of truth, integrity, justice, fairness, and good governance throughout his lifetime, asserting that the late Afenifere leader stood tall in the Hall of Fame of true and intrepid patriots with uncommon courage, deviance and consistency.
“It is with shock but total submission to the will of God Almighty that the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, received the sudden demise of a great and exemplary patriot, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
“He was a man dedicated to the cause of truth, integrity, justice, fairness, and good governance throughout his lifetime. He was a completely detribalized Nigerian who stood for justice and what was right at all times not minding the personal costs or inconvenience to him.
“He stood tall in the Hall of Fame of true and intrepid patriots with uncommon courage, deviance and consistency,” Adebayo said in the statement.
CUPP spokesperson said the Late Chief Adebanjo would be seriously missed by Nigerians as they continued “to navigate the labyrinthine course of interrogating workable panacea for the Nigerian question and its leadership tragedies.
Adebayo, however, said the coalition took solace in the fact that Chief Adebanjo, who he described as a great African and Nigerian, who came, saw and fought, lived a honorable life devoid of compromise with the corrupt elements that held country hostage, “while standing solid for one, indivisible but a just Nigerian state.”
Adebanjo’s kinsmen mourn, salute his commitment to national discourse
Ogbo community in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, especially Isanya Ogbo, the home of the late leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has been thrown into mourning over his death.
His family members and residents of the town described his death as a colossal loss to the community.
Speaking with Sunday Tribune, the Baale of Abariwoye, Ilarowo Ogbo, Chief Samuel Tale, said the entire 18 communities that constitute Ogbo, have lost an illustrious son, community leader par excellence and a nationalists of repute.
“Chief Adebanjo was a great leader whose commitment to the development of our communities remains unparalleled.
“We have 18 villages under this Ogbo. He was always preaching love and unity because his conviction was that if we love each other there will be development.
“The roads, the schools and hospitals that we have here were facilitated by him..His death is a great loss to us. Nigerians should learn to be forthright, we must prioritize truth above everything to move the nation forward. Baba lived for the truth and that is what we should also learn from his life and time, “ Tale said.
An in-law to the late Afenifere leader, Taiwo Sofuye, said he would have loved him to live forever if it was possible for him to do so.
Sofuye said: “Given the special breed that Baba Adebanjo was, If it is possible to keep him alive forever, we would have done that .
“We shall miss his disciplinarian stance, his integrity, his principle on good governance, he will not hesitate to tell his own party whenever it is wrong, he was in his own class and very disciplined politician who took the name of this community and etched it on the global map.”
Also, a cousin of the deceased, Abosede Adekoya, described him as a fearless, courageous, a great family man and who fought for the common good of the masses till he died.
“We are going to miss Baba for he was known to be fearless, always fighting for the common good of Nigerians, and he was a disciplinarian.
“It is a big loss to the family because of being a great pillar of support and source of encouragement.”
Nigeria has lost a great leader in Adebanjo —Fayemi
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the passing of tPa Adebanjo.
He described him as a man who spent his life committed to fairness and democratic ideals in the face of adversity.
In a statement on Saturday, Fayemi noted that the demise of Pa Adebanjo is a great loss not only to the Yoruba nation, but also to Nigeria as a whole.
Fayemi said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, foremost nationalist and leader of Afenifere. This is a great loss not only for the Yoruba nation but for Nigeria as a whole.
“Pa Adebanjo was a true icon of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, an unwavering advocate of justice, and a pillar of progressive politics in Nigeria. Baba was more than a political leader; he was a moral compass who never wavered in his convictions.
“As a committed nationalist and a leading voice in Afenifere, he stood for fairness, justice and the restructuring of Nigeria to ensure a more equitable society. His principled courage, wisdom, and steadfastness in speaking truth to power made him an enduring figure in our national political landscape.
“While we grieve his loss, we also celebrate a well-lived life dedicated to pursuing a better Nigeria. His legacy will remain an inspiration for those of us who believe in the principles he championed.”
Ogun gov, Gbajabiamila visit Adebanjo’s home, extol his virtues
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday visited the residence of the late Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo,,to commiserate with his family over the death of their patriarch.
Abiodun arrived at the Lagos home of the Adebanjos at 4.50 p.m. Gbajabiamila joined him 15 minutes later.
After a meeting with the children of the deceased, Abiodun told newsmen that Adebanjo was part of his life when he started his political career.
The governor said: “He (Adebanjo) was a role model, a father figure to us, he was an iconic Yoruba man who we all became fond of because of his dogged principles.
“He was irrevocably principled, bold, audacious, consistent, fearless, Baba would say it as it was and as he felt regardless of how anyone felt about it. Perhaps, Baba’s training as a lawyer helped his ability to articulate himself unapologetically.
“Baba’s love for the Yoruba race was second to none. He fought for the emancipation of the Yoruba through different platforms.”
Abiodun said that though everyone would miss the late elder statesman, the people were celebrating his life and legacies.
According to him, Adebanjo was one of those voices that would be missed in the country’s political firmament..
Also, Gbajabiamila praised Adebanjo’s service to mankind and the country.
He said: “To God be all the glory, we will miss Baba but we are consoled, knowing he rests in peace.
“Thank you for your service to mankind and to Nigeria,” Gbajabiamila, who declined media interviews, wrote in the condolence register.”
Adebanjo, courageous and principled leader —Enugu gov
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has joined other Nigerians in mourning prominent leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo
Mbah in a post on his verified X handle — @PNMbah on Saturday, described the late elder statesman as a courageous and principled leader who said it exactly the way he saw it, irrespective of whose ox was gored.
He also described him as a patriot, soldier of democracy and a respectable statesman.
He added that “I received with utmost shock and deep sense of grief, the passing of Pa Adebanjo.
“He was a forthright, courageous and principled leader, who spoke the truth without fear or favour. Always at the vanguard of equity and justice, Pa Adebanjo stoutly defended what he believed to be true, right and just.
“He was a soldier of democracy. Whether it was in the days of Papa Obafemi Awolowo or during the military era and the struggle for democracy under the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he was fearless in the trenches, fighting for democracy and the blessings it promises.”
The governor said “on behalf of my family and the good people of Enugu State, therefore, I send heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Ogun State, Afenifere, and indeed the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large over this irreparable loss.”
He also prayed for peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
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