- His death an immense loss to the nation – Says Buhari
- He will be remembered as an outstanding person – Afenifere
- He was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria – Peter Obi
- Abiodun says exit of Afenifere leader marks end of a glorious era
- Pa. Adebanjo dedicated his life for the people – Aiyedatiwa
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Afenifere leader and elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, describing him as a fearless advocate for truth, justice, and democracy.
Adebanjo, a prominent Yoruba leader and nationalist, passed away peacefully at his home in Lekki, Lagos, on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 96, according to a statement issued by his family.
In a personal condolence message released on Friday, Tinubu paid tribute to Adebanjo’s legacy, acknowledging his lifelong commitment to Nigeria’s progress and national unity.
“His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed. As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse,” Tinubu said.
The President described Adebanjo as one of the last surviving nationalists who played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s political history.
“From his early years as the Organising Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic to his leadership in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic, Adebanjo remained unwavering in his pursuit of good governance and democratic ideals.”
Tinubu recalled Adebanjo’s courageous stance during the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, particularly his role in the National Democratic Coalition following the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.
“In moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest. When democracy hung in the balance, he joined NADECO as one of the leading voices against military dictatorship, helping to galvanise a movement that became the bedrock of our collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance,” Tinubu stated.
The President also acknowledged Adebanjo’s role in his political journey, particularly during his election as the Governor of Lagos State in 1999 under the Alliance for Democracy.
While noting that their political paths diverged in later years, Tinubu emphasised that his respect and admiration for Adebanjo never wavered.
“I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure,” Tinubu said.
The President extended his condolences to Adebanjo’s family, the Afenifere leadership, governors of the South West, and all Nigerians who shared in the late leader’s vision for a better country.
“Let us take solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others—a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. May the soul of this great patriot find eternal rest,” Tinubu concluded.
His death an immense loss to the nation – Says Buhari
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has also expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing his death as a significant loss to the nation.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari paid tribute to Adebanjo’s legacy, highlighting his contributions to law, politics, and socio-cultural activism.
“The late Chief Adebanjo was one of those rare politicians who straddled the worlds of the legal profession, politics, and socio-cultural activism,” Buhari stated.
He extended his condolences to Adebanjo’s family, admirers, and the government and people of Ogun State, praying for the repose of his soul and for strength to those mourning his loss.
He will be remembered as an outstanding person – Afenifere
The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, on Friday said it received the passing of its foremost leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, with great shock.
In his initial reaction, Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Adebanjo died on Friday morning.
Ajayi said, “We actually received the news of the passing into glory of Samuel Ayodeji Adebanjo with great shock.
“He lived to the ripe old age of 96, quite all right, but given his contributions to Nigeria, to Yoruba land and of course, to our organisation, Afenifere, he would be greatly missed.
“We value his contributions and we mourn his loss and pray for the repose of his soul. Yes. He will be remembered as an outstanding person.
“He was very patriotic and very committed .Whatever cause Adebanjo believed in, he put all he had into it.”
He was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria – Peter Obi
Also, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Friday mourned Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away in the early hours of Friday.
The late Adebanjo was an Afenifere leader. The group insisted on the South East presidency in 2023 and supported Peter Obi against Bola Tinubu, who’s from the South West.
Tinubu won the election, while Obi came third behind Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party.
Obi described Adebanjo’s demise as “shocking,” saying he “was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria.”
While extending “our deepest condolences to the family and the Afenifere organisation,” Obi said his death “is a profound loss to Nigeria and to all who cherish justice, equity, and truth.”
He said as the leader of Afenifere, Pa Adebanjo remained a steadfast advocate for a united and progressive Nigeria.
He added that his unwavering commitment to fairness and his relentless pursuit of a better nation has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history.
“One thing my political journey in life taught me, for which I am eternally grateful to God, is bringing me close to a few great minds who helped to shape my perception of this land as a great country. One such person is Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the quintessential Afenifere leader,” Obi said.
He emphasised how “deeply grateful” he is to the late Afenifere leader “for his support during my presidential campaign. His endorsement was not merely a political gesture but a testament to his belief in the ideals of equity and inclusiveness.
“He stood firm in his convictions against all odds, demonstrating his dedication to the greater good of Nigeria,” Obi added.
Reminiscing, Obi said, “The last time I spoke with him, his words left a lasting impression: ‘Always stand on the path of justice.’ That advice remains a guiding principle in my life, and I reaffirm my commitment to upholding it in honour of his memory.
“In my association with Pa Adebanjo, I came to appreciate Nelson Mandela’s words, ‘I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.’
He said, “We mourn his departure; let us also celebrate a life well-lived in service to humanity and commit ourselves to upholding the values he so passionately championed.
“May his death not be in vain. Instead, let it serve as a renewed call to action for all who believe in justice and fairness.
“As we extend our condolences to his immediate family and the Afenifere organisation, may we find solace in the enduring impact of his remarkable life?”
Abiodun says exit of Afenifere leader marks end of a glorious era
In the same vein, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the passing of leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as the end of a glorious era.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, Abiodun described Adebanjo as a man of principle and one of the most prominent and unwavering disciples of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Abiodun, who described Adebanjo’s death at the age of 96 at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State, on Friday as a profound loss to Nigeria, said the government and people of Ogun State could not have wished for a more glorious end for the unblemished apostle of federalism, good governance, and the defense of Yoruba interests, who stood head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries and set the pace in the critical appraisal of governments and governance as vehicles of social engineering.
He described the late legal and political icon as one of the few Nigerians whose life embodied the story of Nigeria, from the struggle for independence to the post-independence era, straddling military rule and the return to democratic rule, together with all the joys and pains of those epochal moments.
He added, “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.
“From his activist beginnings in 1943 as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to his activities as a member of the youth wing of the Action Group in 1951, right into the early ’60s, where the sage and his lieutenants stood trial for treason, and right into the heady days of the military and the return to civil rule when he actively engaged governments and participated in constitutional conferences to remake the structure, character, and temper of Nigerian federalism, Adebanjo never once refrained from being a voice of courage and a force for good. In particular, his strident advocacy for federalism was unmatched.
“We are still coming to terms with the reality of his passing, but let us just note that we are profoundly grateful to the Almighty God for giving us such a gem in Ogun State. He will be sorely missed.”
Pa. Adebanjo dedicated his life for the people – Aiyedatiwa
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has also described the late chieftain of pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, late Pa Ayo Adebanjo as a promoter of peace.
Reacting, Aiyedatiwa, in a statement signed on Friday, acknowledged that Adebanjo dedicated his life for the people.
The statement said, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a leader and statesman who dedicated his life to serving the people.
“Throughout his lifetime, Pa Adebanjo demonstrated unwavering commitment to the values of democracy, justice, and equality in Nigeria.
“His tireless efforts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity have left an indelible mark on our country’s history.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May they find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and citizens.”