Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Ayo Adebanjo as a great man, a committed nationalist, an effective representative of his people and an unpretentious personality.
Obasanjo said Adebanjo’s passing, was “no doubt a huge loss, not only to him and to Ogun State but also to the country as a whole.
The former president, who is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attending the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, said the news came to him as a shock.
Obasanjo in a tribute made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday, said he visited the Afenifere leader on February 3, 2025 at his Lekki residence but had no inkling that he would leave so soon.
He said, “It was with deep sense of personal loss that I received the sad news of the passing of my beloved friend and senior brother, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, away in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I am currently attending the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.
“The unfortunate news came to me as a shock because when I last visited him on February 3, 2025 at his Lekki residence, though he was in such a fragile state, I had no inkling he would leave us so soon. His transition is, no doubt, a huge loss not only to me and to Ogun State but also to the country as a whole. He was a great man, a committed nationalist and an effective representative of his people.
“Looking back, Chief Adebanjo had a highly successful career with selfless service rendered to his community, state and, indeed, the entire nation. As a foundation member of the Action Group Party (A.G.), he will be remembered as a foremost nationalist and patriot who has given his best as an active community leader and an exemplary politician with integrity and one who has demonstrated that politics is an avenue not for mindless enrichment but for rendering faithful service to humanity.
Obasanjo noted that Adebanjo’s “commitment to enthroning democracy in our dear country, his tenacity in the face of daunting odds and mortal risk to his life is very common knowledge, and these mark him out as a courageous political leader and true patriot.
The former President recalled that as a democratically-elected President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, they sometimes disagreed to agree to committedly regenerate and reposition the country.
Obasanjo added, “Until his death, he fought with courage and tenacity to see to the restructuring of the Nigerian nation through which good governance based on democratic principles and practice and leading to unity in diversity, justice and equity, political stability, nationalism, popular participation, peace and security and socio-economic progress with strong leadership would be enshrined.
“It is unfortunate that his dream to see this through couldn’t be actualized in his lifetime. Indeed, Chief Adebanjo’s contributions to the strengthening of our fledgling democracy will be missed by the entire nation.
“My family and I commiserate with his immediate and extended family members on this painful loss and pray that God will grant them and the rest of us, his friends and admirers, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May the soul of our very dear Chief Adebanjo rest in perfect peace, Amen.
“I will undoubtedly miss my amazing and beloved Egbon Ayo, with the hope to continue to hold on to the good and remarkable memories we had together, till we meet to part no more,” Obasanjo stated.
Jonathan, Atiku mourn late Afenifere leader
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar have also expressed sadness over the death of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo,
While describing the late elder statesman as a symbol of courage and resilience, Jonathan in a statement he released on Friday, noted that Chief Adebanjo was a national hero and crusader for justice who continued to advocate for a better society till the very end.
The former president stated: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and associates of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, over the passing of the late elder statesman and notable nationalist who died at the age of 96 years.
“Chief Adebanjo was a revered leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere and a national hero who dedicated his life to the service of our nation. He was a symbol of resilience and commitment to the good of our society.
“Throughout his life, he championed the cause of the common man, advocating for democracy, good governance, and the rights of all Nigerians for whom he continued to crusade for a better society till the very end.
“His passing is a profound loss to our nation, as he was a man of unwavering principles, courage and dedication to the ideals of justice, equity, and unity. May God grant his family and loved ones the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the late Afenifere leader as a fearless freedom fighter, patriot and statesman
In a condolence message on Friday Atiku said, “I am saddened by the news of the passing away of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a foremost elder statesman and one of the few remaining nationalists of our country.
The late Afenifere leader was a formidable force and a fearless fighter for justice, equity, and an egalitarian society.
“I can vividly recall the heroic role that Pa Adebanjo played in wresting power from the military and enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria. He was at the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship.
“It is on record that Pa Adebanjo spent his entire youthful days fighting against colonial rule; spent his middle age to fight against military dictatorship and his latter days to ensure that good governance, rule of law and democracy took firm roots in Nigeria.
“I wish to state without equivocation that Pa Adebanjo was a golden example of how to live and die for the good of the country.
“Apart from mentoring many generations of civil rights activists across different generations, Pa Adebanjo was an activist extraordinaire and bridge builder who led the battle against injustice and oppression from the trenches.
“Undoubtedly, the life and times of Adebanjo remain a priceless map for contemporary and upcoming activists, who advocate for good governance to learn and take a cue from.
“He taught all of us how to be statesmen of distinction.
“My profound condolences go to the Adebanjo family. I admonish them to take solace in the fact that the patriarch who they mourn was a father to the whole country and a pride to the Black race. I also commiserate with the people and government of Ogun State.
“I pray for the peaceful repose of the gentle soul of the pioneer nationalist.”