Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa signing the condolence register at the Akure residence of the departed Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti…on Tuesday
- My father died peacefully – Ondo SSG
By Banji Ayoola
Former Secretary to the Federal Government and the Olu of Ilu Abo in Ondo State, Oba Samuel Olu Falae said on Tuesday that the death of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti has left a big void in Yoruba Nation and Nigeria’s political setting.
However, he said that this would not pose any problem for the pan Yoruba organisation in picking its new leader, as the group has a well arranged leadership succession structure, which has been followed over the years since the passage of its first leader who also doubled as the Yoruba leader, the departed sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.
He said the group is a self-perpetuating, self-regulating organisation.
Falae, one of the first callers at Fasoranti’s Akure home immediately after the incident, spoke with reporters at the departed elder statesman’s residence.
The royal father said: “As leaders go, leaders come. You don’t contest or fight for the leadership of Afenifere.
“When Baba Awolowo died, I went to Ikenne to see Mama Awolowo.
“After seeing her, I saw Late Bisi Onabanjo, and I said to him, “Sir, our leader is gone. Who will lead us now?” He said, “Rule me out.”
“He was a manageable man like Awolowo, but more importantly, he said he had very poor health. I said, “What about Bola Ige?” He said, “No, no, no. Bola Ige will scatter the organisation with his comments.”
“ I said, “What about Jakande?” He said, “No.” Jakande was a very, very unforgiving person, I thought. I said, “Okay, who?” I said, “Okay, what about Baba Ajasin?” He said, “That’s the man.” He said, “The leadership chooses itself.”
“Papa Ajasin was, in fact, older than Papa Awolowo by one year. They founded the Action Group together.
“In fact, the free education programme, which made Papa Awolowo and the Action Group very popular, was written. The original paper was written by Papa Ajasin. So clearly, therefore, he was head and shoulders above all of them.
“And eventually, Ajasin became leader. And when Ajasin died, I was in detention then; Adesanya became leader.
“When Adesanya was sick and was losing his mind, he nominated Papa Fasoranti as his acting leader.
“And so now that Papa is gone, I’m sure a leader will emerge without any struggle. I am sure if you ask many Afenifere people, they will tell you who they think will be their next leader.
“The leadership chooses itself. It is obvious who the next leader will be. It is always so. And I hope and pray it will be so this time.”
Oba Falae described Pa Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man.
He said, “I have known him intimately for more than 60 years. And in all that time, I have never heard him quarrel with anybody, shout at anyone, even in political meetings.
“And he was always ready to mediate any dispute brought to his attention, be it a dispute from the Akure community, from the church, from the political party, wherever.
“Baba was always ready to sit down and listen to all disputants and assist them to resolve whatever was at issue.
“No one is perfect, but Baba is as near perfect a human being as I believe you can get in the fallen world.
“When he was Principal Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School, where he was the founding principal, many pupils from poor homes were admitted and he allowed them to complete their secondary education on credit and gave them a chance to have secondary education and a chance to repay after leaving school.”
Pa Fasoranti who died around 4 pm on Tuesday at the age of 100,i is the father of the Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti.
He celebrated his 100th birthday on May 11 this year.
Announcing the death of his father formally to reporters, Taiwo said the Yoruba leader died peacefully in his room around 4 pm on Tuesday.
He said he was hoping to see him when he returned home from work, only to be told in the office that his father had died.
His words, , “Baba passed on this evening around 4 p.m. peacefully in his room, in his bed. About 4 p.m 20th of October 2026,
“Baba was 100 years old. He turned 100 in May. We are all looking forward to his 101st birthday, but God knows best. We are happy; we thank God for his life and for the impactful life he lived.”
Fasoranti said he would not see his father’s death as a period of mourning but to “celebrate his longevity and his influence and impact in the lives of Nigerians, especially Yoruba people as well. The family is very grateful for their support.”
The SSG said, “I will miss his demeanour. Even in the face of adversities, he was a man of few words, full of wisdom.
“And I thank God that in the last couple of years I have been able to see that and enjoy one-on-one conversations with him.
“I think my day starts with seeing him in the morning and seeing him when I get back from the office. No matter how late it is, he will still be waiting for me to come in.
“I just want to thank God that I will remember a father who was very affirmative, very stern, but passed on his messages with little or no threat.
“He would communicate with you in a low voice, but the message was full of meaning. I think we will miss that in this family.”
He said Baba’s supporters should not mourn but celebrate the legacies he has left behind. He described his departed father as an educationist to the core.
His words: “Pa Fasoranti touched everybody. Baba was an educationist to the core.
“Even until a few weeks ago, he still went out of his house to one of his schools.
“Baba was an educationist. He was a leader who wanted people to give back to the community they served. He was a selfless person. So I think people who knew him should take a cue from that. A life of service.
“Baba believed that you must be educated. Education is key to him. So those of us who met him, his friends, his family members, colleagues, admirers should look for a child and educate that child.
“Sow into the lives of those people. Make sure people are educated. And also be a community person. Give back to your community. That’s what I would tell them.”
“His death has left a big void in the political, religious and social life, not only of Akure and St. David’s Church or Ondo State, but all the Yoruba nation. An exemplary man.
“A man you are proud to know and associate with. It is not a trite statement to say that you don’t find one of his kind even in a thousand years. People with all these attributes are extremely rare and hard to find in any society. That’s all I want to say for now.”
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