Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s passing marks the end of an era, and his legacy as a champion of justice and equality will be remembered for generations to come.
With the Renowned nationalist and elder statesman Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere, death at the age of 96. Tributes have been filling in torrents for the departed soul. His legacies lives on. Notable Nigerians including Ok resident Tinubu, Peter Obi, The Awolowo Dynasty, Afenifere. Etc have been eulogising Pa Adebanjo.
According to his family, Adebanjo passed away peacefully on Friday morning, February 14, 2025, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State .
Adebanjo was a distinguished lawyer, politician, and former organising secretary of the Action Group, who dedicated his life to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His commitment to a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was unwavering, and he continued to advocate for this until his passing
As a lifelong advocate for social justice, democracy, and the rights of the Yoruba people, he has garnered respect and admiration from many.
Tributes to him often highlight his unwavering commitment to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria, his role as a leader in the Afenifere group, and his dedication to issues affecting the Yoruba nation. Colleagues, political allies, and younger generations frequently refer to him as a mentor who has influenced their understanding of leadership and governance.
His wisdom, courage, and the ethical standards he embodies, makes many see him as a “rare colossus,” a title reflecting his significant impact on Nigerian politics and society over the decades.
TRIBUTES.
President Tinubu said he received the news of Adebanjo’s passage “with profound sorrow”.“Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history,”
.“Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history,” Tinubu stated in a release on Friday. The president characterized Adebanjo as a “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. Though we mourn his departure, we are also grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life—96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity.”He noted that during times of national crisis, the late Afenifere chief’s “courage shone brightest.”
“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,” -Tinubu stated while extending condolences to the family of the deceased.
Afenifere Tribute
Afenifere Will Greatly Miss Him For Afenifere, the organization led by Adebanjo, the loss of one of its foundational members came as a “great shock and sorrow.”
“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 in Nigeria, shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” said R. F Fasoranti, the group’s leader, in a statement.
“He was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere, where he once served as Acting Leader. Members of the Afenifere family will greatly miss this fallen hero.
Peter Obi Tribute
”The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, also expressed heartfelt sentiments for the departed patriot. “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 significant pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria,” Obi wrote about the man who supported him in the recent elections, extending his sympathies to the family.
Obi noted that Adebanjo was “a steadfast advocate for a united and progressive Nigeria” with an “unwavering commitment to fairness.”
“As 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,” the LP leader remarked. “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.”
“Extraordinary Life of Courage”
The Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that Adebanjo dedicated himself to the Nigeria project.
“He was devoted and committed to the Nigeria Project for about seven decades. We cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, justice, true federalism, and good governance, which he championed and fought for many decades until his last breath,”
the governor expressed in a statement issued by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.Sanwo-Olu depicted him as someone who lived an “extraordinary life of courage and service to humanity, his community, the Yoruba race, and the nation.”
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a paragon of integrity/ consistency- Awolowo Family
“We received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, an unrepentant Awoist and loyal associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose peaceful exit occurred today at his home in Lagos. His departure marks the end of an era, as he was one of the last of the generation of pre-independence nationalists who dedicated their lives to the cause of a just and equitable Nigeria.“Chief Adebanjo’s relationship with our family spanned more than 70 years—a bond forged in trust, loyalty, and shared ideals. In peace and in struggle, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Papa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Yeye Odua H.I.D. Awolowo, embodying their principles with unwavering devotion.
Even decades after Papa’s transition, he remained a steadfast champion of his leader’s ideals and of the political family they shared.“A paragon of integrity and consistency, Chief Adebanjo spent his long years of public service advocating for justice, equity, and the rights of all Nigerians. As a leader of Afenifere, he stood firm against oppression and tyranny, building bridges across regions, religions, and ethnic divides.“
Until his final breath, Chief Adebanjo was unyielding in his call for the restructuring of the Nigerian state along the path of true federalism—a cause he pursued with passion and conviction. His life, marked by courage and service, has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape.In his passing, our family has lost a dear friend and confidant. Nigeria has lost a moral compass, a father figure, and a voice of reason. The progressive family he so loved is made poorer by his transition. Yet, we find consolation in knowing that his life of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, family, political associates and all who were touched by his exceptional life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this time.”“May his great and gallant soul rest in eternal peace.”,-signed by Ambassador Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. For the Awolowo Family.
