Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a renowned Nigerian elder statesman and leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has passed away at the age of 96.
His passing has sent shockwaves across the country, with many prominent Nigerians paying tribute to his remarkable life and legacy.
Ogun Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described Chief Adebanjo’s passing as the end of a glorious era, praising him as a principled man and unwavering disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Abiodun in a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, said that the government and the people of the State could not have wished for a more glorious end for a man whom he described as an unblemished apostle of federalism, good governance, and the defense of Yoruba interest.
“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.”
Senator Gbenga Daniel also paid tribute, describing Chief Adebanjo as one of the last titans who stood firm on his convictions and strength of purpose.
“Pa Adebanjo was of the old Awo stock in Yoruba ethos, reminding us every inch of the way about the value of fairness, equity, and justice; values for which he fought to his last breath. Nigeria shall surely miss his invaluable contributions to our national discourse as we search for true federalism and statehood.
“Ogun State and the entire Yoruba nation have again lost another icon,” he said.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), in its statement, expressed shock and sadness over Chief Adebanjo’s demise, describing him as an exemplary patriot and a completely detribalised Nigerian.
In same vein, the Ogun State chapter of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, commiserated with its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, and the family of “an indisputable Titan of the Obafemi Awolowo School of Politics”, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away on Friday.
Iba Gani Adams, Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, also expressed great shock over the demise of the Afenifere leader.
He described Chief Adebanjo’s passing as a monumental loss.
Chief Adebanjo’s family has announced plans for a befitting funeral, with details to be announced in due course.
The late elder statesman is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, as well as children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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