Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has mourned the passage of his longtime associate and fellow leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
The elder statement passed on peacefully in his seep at his Lekki, Lagos residence on Friday at 96.
Reacting in a statement issued from his Akure, Ondo State home, 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.”
He said, “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, shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.”
Describing Adebanjo as a patriot par excellence, whose contributions to Nigeria’s independence, democracy, and political development remain indelible, he highlighted Adebanjo’s unwavering dedication to democracy, recalling his pivotal role in both Nigeria’s independence struggle and the restoration of democratic governance.
He said, “As a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, he was committed to the principles of good governance, rule of law and the protection of 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 fulfil the aspirations of the people. I pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Fsoranti said Adebanjo was an unrelenting ideologue, who was committed to noble causes under the Afenifere platform, where he once served as Acting Leader.
His words: “Chief Adebanjo was a custodian of positive values that define progressive politics in Nigeria.
“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.”
“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.”
Fasoranti added that members of the Afenifere family would greatly miss Adebanjo, who according to him, was “a custodian of positive values that define progressive politics in Nigeria.”
As a staunch disciple of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, Adebanjo upheld principles of good governance, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights.
He was also a passionate advocate for restructuring, believing that only a truly federal Nigeria, built on justice and fairness, could meet the aspirations of its people.
