•We have lost an irreplaceable gem —Afe •Pa Adebanjo will be remembered for his nationalistic tendencies —Gbenga Daniel •He was fearless, courageous —Peter Obi
More prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, as well as organisations, on Sunday paid glowing tribute to foremost nationalist, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, following his demise at 96 years, on Friday, in Lagos.
The eminent persons include Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN); renowned cleric, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Mr Peter Obi and Senator Gbenga Daniel, as well as groups like the Southern and the Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) and The Patriots.
Elder statesman and founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), in his tribute, said Nigeria had lost a nationalist and irreplaceable gem.
Babalola, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, said Adebanjo was a talented legal practitioner and successful manager of men and resources who distinguished himself for the service of humanity.
He said: “I saw the departed minister in the hallowed Temple of Justice at close quarters. I have seen him at work, and I have also seen him at play. I interacted with him in the court and outside the court and found him to be a genial and a rare professional who was sold to hard work.
“Our departed compatriot was a multi-talented legal practitioner, an epitome of decency and a towering model of a quintessential gentleman who has succeeded in all his endeavours. He was a loving father, a mentor and a successful manager of men and resources who touched the lives of many as a lawyer and as a politician during his memorable sojourn on planet earth.
“What stands this gentleman out is his vaunting patriotism, unbending determination, unalloyed selflessness, and his strength of character to use his office, and indeed, his all, for the achievement of the good of the majority.
“A most engaging personality, his brilliance, and the very professional way he conducted himself both at the Bar and as a politician will remain indelible in our collective psyche.
“He was a firm and fervent believer in the rules, and he kept such rules to the letter. He mentored not a few and was loved, adored, and admired by many.
“During his lifetime, it was not difficult for anyone that came his way to appreciate his palpable erudition, his deep knowledge of the law and his willingness to help others around him.
“As a legal practitioner, he exhibited the four F’s: he was frank, firm, fair and friendly.
“He was a dogged and decent fighter. We will surely miss him. We will miss his brilliance and his large-heartedness.
“The late Chief Ayo Adebanjo was an example per excellence of a cerebral, good-natured, committed and excellent team player who achieved peace for himself and accommodation with his environment.”
Pa Adebanjo will be remembered for his nationalistic tendencies —Gbenga Daniel
Similarly, a former governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East district, Senator Gbenga Daniel, said Pa Adebanjo would be remembered for his exceptional nationalistic tendencies.
Daniel, who made the remarks during a condolence visit to the deceased’s family in Lagos eulogised him as a man of principle and someone who could be influenced by material considerations.
He said: “He was like a father to me, therefore, I must confess how he supported my administration at a time we didn’t belong to the same political party.
“That underscores the fact that he was a man of principle and he exhibited that to the end. We will continue to praise God for His life. He was somebody that could not be influenced by material considerations. He held firmly to what he believed in to the end.
“The other side of him that I am excited about was the nationalistic tendencies he displayed in the last election. As a leader of Afenifere, one thought he would support one of his own but with that singular action, he had created a bridge between the East and the West.
“He had also shown that the concept of Afenifere is not selfish. It has to do with better life for the people which the Action Group stood for. I will remain proud of him. I can’t continue to tell you what he did in my political life. But we thank God for his life that he died maturely at old age. And for what he left behind, his legacy will live forever.”
Adebanjo’s death end of an era —SMBLF
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) also paid glowing tributes Chief Ayo Adebanjo, saying his departure marked the end of an era, leaving a profound void in Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural landscape.
This was contained in a statement signed by the leader: of the group and First Republic minister of Information, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark; the president general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Mbata; PANDEF President-General, Ambassador (Dr) Godknows Igali; president of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus and Coordinator of the group, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.
In the statement entitled: The World Mourns Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the leaders emphasized that as a nationalist, Chief Adebanjo dedicated his life to the advancement of Nigeria, advocating for equity, fairness and good governance.
They noted that throughout his life, Chief Adebanjo was not only a political activist but also a mentor and father figure to many, recalling that his wisdom and counsel were invaluable in the deliberations of the SMBLF, where he played a vital role in shaping the forum’s positions on national issues.
His absence, according to the leaders, will be profoundly felt, as his voice was always one of reason, courage, and foresight.
The statement read: “The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) mourns the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the highly revered leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization he co-founded.
“His departure marks the end of an era, leaving a profound void in Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural landscape.
“On behalf of the people of Southern and the Middle Belt leaders forum which he also co-founded and remained its deputy leader till his demise, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the Yoruba nation, and the entire country.
“Chief Adebanjo’s life was a beacon of integrity, justice, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
“A stalwart nationalist, Chief Adebanjo dedicated his life to the advancement of Nigeria, advocating for equity, fairness, and good governance.
“Unlike many of his contemporaries who wavered in their convictions, he remained resolute in his belief that Nigeria could only thrive on the foundation of true federalism and justice for all ethnic groups.
“His progressive ideals remained unchanged from his early days as a disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo through the various political transitions Nigeria underwent.
“One of his most courageous moments in recent history was his staunch support for the Southeast’s claim to the presidency in the 2023 elections. Even with a Yoruba candidate in the race, he championed fairness, arguing that the Igbo deserved a turn at the helm.
“His boldness in standing by this conviction, despite immense pressure, reaffirmed his legacy as a selfless leader who prioritized national unity over ethnic interests.
“Throughout his life, Chief Adebanjo was not only a political activist but also a mentor and father figure to many. His wisdom and counsel were invaluable in the deliberations of the SMBLF, where he played a vital role in shaping the forum’s positions on national issues.
“His absence will be profoundly felt, as his voice was always one of reason, courage, and foresight.
“Born in 1928, Chief Adebanjo’s journey was intertwined with Nigeria’s history, from the fight for independence to the struggles against military rule and the quest for a just democracy.
“He endured persecution, detentions, and threats but never wavered.
His life was a testament to the power of resilience and principled leadership.
“As we bid farewell to this titan of justice and democracy, we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul. May the Almighty grant his family, the Yoruba people, and Nigeria the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“His legacy will remain a guiding light for future generations.”
Pa Adebanjo was fearless, courageous —Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has described the late leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo as a fearless and courageous human being who fought for justice, fairness and equity.
Obi, who was former Governor of Anambra State stated that Adebanjo was neither compromised nor transactional in his quest for a just Nigeria.
He stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the Adebanjo residence.
He said: “For me, I have lost someone I can call a father. Most importantly, Nigeria has lost a person of substance of inestimable value.
“Somebody who fearlessly and courageously fought for justice, fairness and what is right. He remained consistent in his quest for a just nation till the end.
“Not often do you see people with such unique character in this part of the world. Someone might have it but it is soon compromised or transactional but Baba deprived himself of every form of inducement.
“He deprived himself at the cost of his life. That is very rare. Baba wanted a new Nigeria. He wanted a new nation and that is what we should all strive and work together to achieve.”
Baba was a man of his words —Olu Alabi
On his part, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Olu Alabi, described Adebanjo as a forthright and consistent elder statesman.
Alabi said the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere was a man of his words, principled and focused on whatever cause he espoused.
Similarly, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 governorship election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, described Chief Adebanjo as selfless and unapologetically consistent about his views.
Rhodes-Vigour, who spoke at the residence of the deceased, also said the deceased was not just a father but someone that offered advice and solutions to issues.
He said: “He was not just a father but somebody who at his age would step out of his ways to make things happen.
“I remember when I first met him in 2019 when I ran for Senate. I would explain things I was dealing with and Baba would not just listen but he would pick up his phone and he made calls on my behalf.
“He was always there. At his age, a lot of people would have resigned but he was always there to share his ideas and ideologies and talking about history of the past, present and proffering solutions.
“Baba was unapologetically consistent about his views and that is something that is rare in today’s Nigeria. We have learnt from Baba that It is okay to stand your ground. It is okay to stand for something and people will remember you for that,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
Nigeria has lost another true nationalist —Ajadi
A South-West chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo said Nigeria has lost yet another true nationalist and great politician, recalling that he met Adebanjo in 2022 when he was consulting on his presidential political aspiration and found him to be a fearless lawyer, nationalist, uncompromising democrat and a great politician.
According to the statement: “With his death, Yoruba and Nigeria has lost a great politician and leader 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.”
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