The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure; the party’s candidate in the 2023 Lagos governorship election, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor; The Patriots (TP), among others, on Sunday paid tributes to the late leader of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing the late elder statesman as a courageous leader, man of integrity and a strong advocate of a united Nigeria.
Chief Adebanjo died on February 14, 2025, at the age 96.
This came as the Labour Party held a Night of Tributes at Lekki, Lagos residence of the elder statesman, attended by the Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the party, Pastor Dr. (Mrs) Dayo Ekong; Pastor Jolomi Guoti of the Trinity Church, Lagos; Pastor Funke Awolowo; Mr. Segun Ayo Adebanjo; Mrs Abiola Azeez, among others.
Abure, who was represented by Pastor Ekong, said looking back at Pa Adebanjo’s past political dispensation, one could see a man who saw the future of Nigeria and who gave all to ensure that a Nigeria where equity, justice, and fair play evolved.
The LP national leader described Pa Adebanjo as a fairless leader who shunned all manner of trivialities and tribal sentiments, and further described him as a great advocate for united Nigeria who fearlessly canvassed “for true federalism, knowing that a Nigeria with its multiethnic nationalities as presently constituted would thrive better when power is not confined but liberalized.”
Abure, while noting that the late Papa Adebanjo was a product of struggle and a key member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which led to the reclaiming of democracy in 1999, said that the elder statesman died a proud supporter of the Labour Party, promising that the party would stand by his family at all times as well as all the virtues for which he was known.
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“When we look back at his past political dispensation, we had a man who saw the future of Nigeria and who gave all to ensure that a Nigeria where equity, justice, and fair play evolved.
“We saw a fearless leader who shunned all manner of trivialities and tribal sentiments; we saw a great advocate for a united Nigeria who fearlessly canvassed for true federalism, knowing that a Nigeria with its multiethnic nationalities as presently constituted would thrive better when power is not confined but liberalised.
“Papa Adebanjo was a product of struggle. He died a proud supporter of the Labour Party, and as a party, we stand by the family at all times and all the virtues for which he was known.
“As Nigerians mourn the loss of this great patriot and his journey back to his creator, we in the Labour Party are eternally grateful to God for the selfless, altruistic, humane, and noble life Papa Adebanjo lived,” he said.
The Patriots, in its remark, called on the federal government to immortalise the late Afenifere leader, saying he had been an indefatigable politician ever since the First Republic and at the forefront of the struggle for democracy.
TP, in the statement signed by Wale Okunniyi and read at the event, equally lauded Chief Adebanjo as a strong advocate of restructuring and a leading voice in the 2014 Confab, noting that his demise was received with a heavy heart.
“But we are proud of the life he lived, his forthrightness in speaking truth to power,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivor eulogised the late elder statesman, saying that he embodied what Nigeria ought to be, describing as an icon and a man passionate to see the country attain greatness.
The party chieftain said Pa Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life, urging Nigerians to emulate his good deeds in the interest of the country.
Ekong, in her own speech, described the late Adebanjo as one who was so passionate about everybody, saying that he was a man who stood for unity, equity, just as she affirmed that he was also a father of the Labour Party and a father for all.
The LP state chairman called for a minute silence in honour of the late leader, saying there “is nothing we can do to say it is enough in honour of the man, our father, a great leader.
“Adebanjo was not just a man; he was a movement. He was a legendary leader; he stood for what he believed in, so far it is in the interest of all, not minding whose ox is gored.
“He was passionate and looking for a new Nigeria to emerge, but Baba didn’t see that coming to pass before he passed away.
“Baba lived a good life. I have no doubt that we have lost an icon. If we believe in and love what Baba stood for, let us continue to move on, emulating him,” she said.
Pastor Guoti of the Trinity Church, Lagos, who preached “Living a good life” at the event, described the late Afenifere leader as an epitome of good life, adding that Pa Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life, being courageous, selfless, generous, and loyal.
According to the cleric, Baba fought for the downtrodden, saying that somebody like him was very hard to come by for his truthfulness and his uncompromising stand on issues.
“Baba lived a fulfilled life, an epitome of good life. Baba was courageous, selfless, generous, and loyal.
“Baba fought for the downtrodden. Somebody like Baba is very hard to come by; he called black black, he does not compromise. The man is an icon, and iroko, a man that spoke truth to power,” he said.
“I pray God would raise another man that would be like Baba. The tributes is for us, so that we can learn what Baba stood for. It is our good deeds that followed us to the grave. Today, we still talk about Awolowo, why? This is because of what he did. That was what Baba would be remembered for. If we do what Baba did, a new and great Nigeria would rise,” he added.
Also speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Segun Ayo Adebanjo said he late father was a courageous person as attested to by many people, adding that he had rare moral courage to stand alone for all irrespective of tribe or religion.
Besides, he further described his late father as a man of integrity and a strong advocate of restructuring, among others, adding, “What I am proud in my father is that he was a man with pride, Okunrin meta ni baba mi!”
“Many have called my father a courageous person; that is what he was. He had the moral courage to stand alone for all, irrespective of tribe or religion. Courage is rare.
“Many have called him a man of integrity; that is what he was.
“Many have also called him an advocate of restructuring. A true Afenifere person, an egalitarian person, who wanted better life for all as depicted by the Afenifere that he led.
“What I am proud of in my father is that he was a man with pride. Okunrin meta ni baba mi!” he stated.
Attendees later embarked on a candle procession on Lekki streets in honour of the late Afenifere leader.
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