Tinubu, Obi, Afenifere, Others Pay Tribute to Pa Adebanjo

Elder statesman Ayodele Adebanjo, fondly called Pa Adebanjo, has passed away at age 96. He died peacefully at his Lagos home on Friday.
Tributes have continued to pour in from President Bola Tinubu, politicians, governors, and the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, among others.
In his condolence message, President Bola Tinubu expressed “profound sorrow” over Adebanjo’s death.
“Nigeria has lost a political leader whose unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity has left an indelible mark on our nation’s history,” Tinubu said in a statement on Friday.
He described Pa Adebanjo as a principled voice in political activism and a strong advocate for progress and equity.
“Though our political paths diverged in later years, my respect and admiration for him never wavered. Until his death, I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure.”
The Afenifere group, where Adebanjo played a key role, described his passing as a “great shock and sorrow”.
Afenifere leader R. F Fasoranti praised Adebanjo’s contributions to Nigeria’s independence struggle and his role in restoring democracy.
“He was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes under Afenifere, where he once served as Acting Leader. The Afenifere family will greatly miss this fallen hero.”
Obi: “A Steadfast Advocate for a New Nigeria”
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, who had Adebanjo’s backing in the 2023 election, also honored him.
“My family and the Obidient Movement received the shocking news of the passing of our dear father and leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria.”
Obi described him as a steadfast advocate for unity and progress and praised his commitment to fairness.
Pa Adebanjo’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and governance will remain a reference point in the nation’s history. His leadership in Afenifere, fight for justice, and unwavering activism have left a lasting impact.
As the nation mourns, many continue to celebrate the life and legacy of this political giant.