By Banji Ayoola
The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described the leader of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, as a consistent social justice crusader.
In his congratulatory message to Adebanjo, who turned 95 yesterday, he praised the elder statesman for his remarkable leadership within the Afenifere fold.
Hailing him for his contributions to progressive politics and good governance in the country, Tinubu noted with admiration the elder statesman’s consistency over the years in fighting for good governance and social justice in Nigeria.
Particularly, he commended Adebanjo for his forefront role in the fight against military dictatorship, his prominent contribution as a NADECO chieftain during the tortuous and bloody pro-democracy struggles to revalidate the 1993 Presidential Election, Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever, which was won by the multi-billionaire publisher, the deceased Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, but which was annulled by his friend and the military President Ibrahim Babangida.
The President-elect said in the statement which was circulated to the media by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, on Monday evening: “I congratulate Baba Ayo Adebanjo on attaining 95 in good health. Baba is one of the few remaining disciples of our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Papa Adebanjo has remained consistent in sustaining the ideals of progressive good governance and social justice.
“I salute his courage over the years and the useful role he has played in ensuring that Nigeria remains a strong, united, and prosperous country.
“We pray that Almighty Allah grants Baba more years so he can witness the dawn of a new era where the hopes of our people for a better, stronger, more secure, and more prosperous Nigeria will not only be renewed but come to full realisation.
“I wish Baba Adebanjo good health, renewed strength, and, above all, continued grace of God,” the statement added.
The congratulatory message from Tinubu comes amid Adebanjo’s opposition to Tinubu’s emergence as the President-elect, as the nonagenarian had insisted that the February 25 presidential election, which produced Tinubu, was flawed.
Adebanjo pitched his tent with the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, on the grounds that it was the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next President.
Also, Obi, in his own congratulatory message, said Adebanjo has remained a resounding and consistent voice in preaching for a better and egalitarian Nigeria.
Afenifere’s adoption of Obi as the body’s presidential candidate, overlooking the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had caused some rumpus within the Southwest group and amid its leadership. Recall that Adebanjo strongly supported and declared Obi his preferred candidate ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Obi’s congratulatory message was contained in a post via his verified Twitter handle, yesterday. In his statement, Obi said he admires and respects the elder statesman’s courage in speaking up on bad governance and flawed public policies.
While also thanking God for the gift of Adebanjo’s life to the nation and humanity, the former Anambra State governor stated that the elder statesman’s place in the annals of Nigeria’s history is secure.
“On behalf of my family, I wish a very respected father figure, Afenifere leader, and elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a very hearty happy birthday. Daddy, you have remained a resounding and consistent voice in preaching for a better and egalitarian Nigeria.
“I admire and respect, above all, your courage in speaking up on bad governance and flawed public policies. Your patriotic fervor is exemplary.
“As you clock 95 years today, I thank God for the gift of your life to our nation and humanity. Your place in the annals of Nigeria’s history is secure. May God protect and bless you always with abundant health and happiness.”
Also, the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, in his own congratulatory message on Tuesday, said Adebanjo’s imprint in Nigeria are indelible.
In the message by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams described the Afenifere leader as an embodiment of truth and courage.
He commended the courageous lifestyle of Pa Adebanjo, saying if it means standing alone on the path of justice and truth, “Baba is always ready to be counted as a lone voice in the forest.”
In Adam’s words: “As one of the disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo has distinguished himself as a thoroughly-bred Awoist with a distinct character of truth and honesty with passion for justice.
“There are leaders and there are leaders. Give it to him, Baba Ayo Adebanjo is old enough to live a quiet life and enjoy the luxury of his long and spartan life, yet his voice remains the only voice that renders the powerful powerless and he is always consistent in speaking truth to power.
“As the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, those of us that are still very young look up to Baba as the pillar of our struggle for an egalitarian society where truth, justice and fair- play remain the hallmark of our socio-political ideology.
“He deserves nothing less. It is not until great men like him die that we will be placing adverts in the media celebrating his life. Let us celebrate the courage, consistency, hardworking and passion he has painstakingly put into the struggle for a just society.
“Not everybody is blessed to reach that old age in life but it pleases God, the Alpha, and the Omega to spare his life as he hits 95.
“Pa Ayo Adebanjo is blessed. It is my prayer that God continues to bless Baba with good health and sound mind for him to continue to be the voice of the voiceless and the shining light of our race.”
