Senate observes minute silence for late Adebanjo

Federal lawmakers in the Senate on Thursday observed a minute silence in honour of the late leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

The late elder statesman died last Friday at the age of 96.

Aside from the one-minute silence, the Red Chamber also asked the Federal Government to name a national monument after the late Adebanjo to immortalise him.

The Senate also resolved to send a powerful delegation to the immediate family of the late Afenifere leader to condole with them.

The Senate resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel.

Senator representing Oyo North, AbdulFatai Buhari, who seconded the motion, described the late Adebanjo as a principled man who fought for justice.

He said: “He has played his role and gone. May the Lord forgive his shortcomings.”

Senator representing Ondo Central, Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire said the late Adebanjo was “a great democrat, worthy of the honour that will be bestowed upon him. He was a man of conviction.”

Senator representing Borno North and Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno recalled the role played by the late Adebanjo along with his colleagues in Afenifere for the restoration of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by the presidential candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

He said: “We remember his role in June 12 pan-Nigerian mandate.

“I was among the few parliamentarians that stood with Pa Adebanjo for the restoration of that mandate. Even after our dissolution by the junta, the struggle was sustained through the platform of NADECO which he was a member.

“It is against this background that we celebrate the life and times of this great man. He has come to this world, he has served humanity and now resting in the bossom of His Lord.”

Former Bayelsa state governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson said the nation has ” lost a titan of a progressive democratic struggle.

“I condole with the family of our departed leader. I condole with the people of Ogun State and the people of Ijebuland, my maternal home.

“One of our titans, an unapologetic leader, one of the finest democrats has departed Nigeria.

“We can spend the entirety of today talking about Adebanjo who used his time to fight for an egalitarian Nigerian.

“We mourn the passing of a man, who represented the finest of the Omoluwabi tradition. We have really lost a titan of a progressive democratic struggle. He has left a huge vacuum and we pray that we can do some of the things he was able to do in the national interest.

“Our prayer is that God will enable this nation to have more Pa Adebanjos. We mourn the passing of Pa Adebanjo and we join the family from Ogun and across Nigeria to wish that Papa rest in peace.”

In his concluding remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said the late statesman “was one of those that Nigerian history can’t be complete without mentioning him. He contributed his quota and we thank God for his life. I join all of us to say that may his soul rest in peace and God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”