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Leaders of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, came together on Sunday at the Lekki, Lagos residence of the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo, to condole with his family.
Adebanjo, a leader of Afenifere, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 96 years.
According to a statement on Sunday by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, 98-year-old Afenifere’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was represented at Adebanjo’s house meeting by a former governor of Ondo State, Segun Mimiko.
Fasoranti was described as describing Adebanjo as “a patriot par excellence.”
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Fasoranti and Adebanjo had disagreed over the candidate to back for the presidency.
While Fasoranti backed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress from the South-West, Adebanjo backed Peter Obi of the Labour Party from the South-East.
The disagreement led to the factionalisation of Afenifere and it remained so till Adebanjo died.
In what appeared to be a reconciliatory effort, the organisations leaders closed ranks on Sunday at Adebanjo’s Lagos house.
Fasoranti, speaking through Mimiko, expressed his condolences to the Adebanjo family and prayed that the good legacies of the deceased would continue to thrive.
“Though Pa Fasoranti is not physically present here at this event, he is fully with us spiritually,” Mimiko said.
He said Adebanjo’s contributions during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as during struggles for the restoration and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
“He was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for several noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere where he was acting leader and a pillar of support. He was certainly a patriot par excellence.
“It was due to his huge reputation within and outside of Afenifere fold that made notable people gather in Lekki to formally commiserate with the immediate and extended families of the deceased and to reiterate their determination to have a rejuvenated Afenifere. They also expressed commitment to the progress of Yorubaland and a truly federal Nigeria,” the statement added.
Also speaking, former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, described Adebanjo as a leader whose contributions can not be forgotten.
“Adebanjo’s commitment to egalitarianism and a truly federal Nigeria is something those of us left behind must keep pursuing vigorously,” Fayemi said.
Asiwaju of Yewa, Samuel Ibikunle, also eulogised Adebanjo and urged youths to learn from the good virtues of elders so that their paths in life can be smooth.
The Secretary General of Afenifere, Ademola Folarin, said, “Adebanjo was a great leader and a highly notable patriot who will not be forgotten.”
Others who spoke, including Wale Oshun, Ayo Opadokun, underscored Adebanjo’s tenacity, doggedness and steadfastness in whatever he believed in.
