The Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the death of Nigerian patriot and foremost nationalist Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Also, the Leader of the apex pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has described Adebanjo as a patriot par excellence who contributed immensely during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as fight for the restoration of democracy in the country.
Chief Adebanjo, a notable stalwart of Afenifere, died on Friday at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, at the age of 96.
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the death of Adebanjo, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated elder statesmen, was a colossal loss to the country and the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, and an irreplaceable loss to the people of Ijebu and Ogun State.
He expressed condolences to the Adebanjo family, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the entire Isanyan Ogbo community in Ijebu, Ogun State, on the passing of a social and political leader who never held executive or appointed government office in his lifetime.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Chief Adebanjo’s record of service to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole as a celebrated lawyer, politician, rights activist, and Afenifere leader would remain indelible for generations to come.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, and the entire people of South-West, we celebrate the departure of our foremost nationalist and Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, who contributed his quota to the growth and development of Yoruba and Nigeria during his lifetime.
“The legacies of Chief Ayo Adebanjo cannot be forgotten because of the positive impacts he made during his lifetime and his extraordinary life of courage and service to humanity, his community, the Yoruba race, and the nation.
“He was devoted and committed to the Nigeria Project for about seven decades. We cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, justice, true federalism, and good governance, which he championed and fought for many decades until his last breath.
“Pa Adebanjo was a fearless and courageous man who fought for justice with honesty and integrity. He was in the trenches for many years, even in old age, fighting for a better Nigeria. He was a hero of democracy and teamed up with other progressives and members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) against the annulment of the June 12 election.”
Similarly, in a statement he personally signed, Pa Fasoranti said, “It is with great shock and sorrow that I received the news of the passing into glory of Chief Samuel Ayodeji Adebanjo, my brother, comrade-in-arms and political associate for upwards of 70 years.
“A patriot par excellence, his 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 many noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere where he was once the Acting Leader.
“Members of Afenifere family will greatly miss this fallen hero.
“Chief Adebanjo was a custodian of positive values that define progressive politics in Nigeria. As a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, he was committed to the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and the protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians. His advocacy for the restructuring of Nigeria was borne out of the conviction that only a truly federal Nigeria, where justice and fairness are supreme, could fulfill the aspirations of the people.”