•He stopped eating before his death—Family source
•Tinubu, Buhari, Jonathan, Obasanjo, Makinde, Abiodun, Afenifere, PANDEF, others mourn

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Henry Umoru, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Adeola Badru & James Ogunnaike

EXACTLY 55 days to his 96th birthday, Elder statesman and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, passed on, yesterday.

Born on April 10, 1928, the frontline nationalist and one of the remaining first-generation Awoists, died fighting for true federalism, resource control and restructuring.

A lover of equity, justice and fairness, Adebanjo died on Valentine’s Day after battling ill health for a while.

A family source disclosed that before his death, the late Afenifere leader had been sick for a while.
The source further explained that despite his ill health, there were hopes that Pa Adebanjo would overcome his health challenges. The source further disclosed that at a point in time, the Afenifere leader and National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, chieftain stopped eating and took only liquid substances.

“He had been sick for some time but we have been managing it. At a point in time, he stopped eating but only took liquid. He died peacefully in his sleep,” the family member said.

Remembered for his principled stand on issues, some of his last battles include the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 national confab and ensuring that the South-East via Mr Peter Obi produced the president after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023 to ensure equity, and harmony in the country.

Pa Adebanjo’s demise elicited tears in the polity, yesterday. Those who mourned and eulogised him included President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo Buhari and Good luck Jonathan, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

Chief Reuben Fasoranti, The Afenifere, The Patriots, Iba Gani Adams, and Chief Akin Osuntokun and Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF among others also mourned.

He died fighting for truth —Children

Announcing his death, his children in a statement said Adebanjo died on the morning of Friday, February 14, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos state.

“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96,” the statement reads.We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath.”

The family said discussions about the funeral is ongoing, adding that arrangements will be announced in due course. The statement was signed on behalf of the family by Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.

Adebanjo, a lawyer by profession, was organising secretary of the Action Group, AG.

Left to mourn him are Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, his 94-year-old wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grand children.

We’ll miss principled voice, decades of political activism — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu expressed grief over the passing of Adevanjo, saying his principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, would be deeply missed.

The President in a tribute he personally wrote said that the nation will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse.

President Tinubu’s tribute read: “I received the news of the passing of one of the Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, 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.

“According to the family, Baba transitioned peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Lekki, Lagos.

“All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for.

“His 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.

“Baba, as a lawyer, statesman, and politician, stood among the last of a generation of nationalists and independent heroes who shaped the foundation of our country.

“A devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his contributions spanned political eras, from his role as Organising Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic to his leadership in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic.

“In moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest. When democracy hung in the balance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, he joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as one of the leading voices against military dictatorship, helping to galvanise a movement that became the bedrock of our collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance.

“His unwavering commitment to truth and justice extended to my journey as a governorship candidate in 1999. Baba Adebanjo’s steadfast support was instrumental in my election as Governor of Lagos State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy.

“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.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Afenifere family, the governors of the Southwest, past and present, and all Nigerians who shared his vision.

“Let us take solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others-a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Jonathan mourns

Expressing sadness over Adebanjo’s death, Dr. Jonathan describing the late elder statesman as a symbol of courage and resilience.

In a statement by his special adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president noted that Chief Adebanjo was a national hero and crusader for justice who continued to advocate for a better society till the very end.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and associates of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, over the passing of the late elder statesman and notable nationalist who died at the age of 96 years.

“Chief Adebanjo was a revered leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere and a national hero who dedicated his life to the service of our nation. He was a symbol of resilience and commitment to the good of our society.”

We mourn a great Titan of our Nation — PANDEF

Also, the PAN Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the Apex sociol political umbrella body of the Niger Delta, expressed grief over the passing of Adebanjo, saying his principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed.

In a statement personally signed yesterday in Abuja by it National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, PANDEF says it mourns a great Titan of our Nation, Nigeria,
The statement read in part: ” On behalf of the Board of Trustees and National Leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone, we are profoundly shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a legendary icon and elder statesman who dedicated an extraordinary 96 years to activism, championing justice, equality, and freedom for the Nigerian people.”

He was a committed nationalist —Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid glowing tribute to Adebanjo, describing him as a great man, a committed nationalist, an effective representative of his people and an unpretentious personality.

According to Obasanjo, “It was with deep sense of personal loss that I received the sad news of the passing of my beloved friend and senior brother, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I am currently attending the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.”

The former President in a tribute made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the unfortunate news came to him as a shock, lamenting his passing was “no doubt, a huge loss not only to me and to Ogun State, but also to the country as a whole.

“The unfortunate news came to me as a shock because when last I visited him on February 3, 2025 at his Lekki residence, though he was in such a fragile state, I had no inkling he would leave us so soon. His transition is, no doubt, a huge loss not only to me and to Ogun State but also to the country as a whole.”

We’ll keep Adebanjo’s banner afloat — Afenifere

Mourning its leader, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization,.Afenifere promised to keep the banner afloat.
in a statement by its Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere described Adebanjo as “an avowed Awoist and progressive school of thought, who was known for his central stage advocacy of restructuring, true federalism and a Nigeria of equity, fairness and true sense of belonging for its constituent ethnic nationalities.”

It continued: “For about a decade Baba had often reminded his followers that at his age, he was already at the “departure lounge” to strengthen us for the continued struggle for a better Nigeria, a country he truly loved. We will undauntedly keep the banner afloat.

“Subsequent statements will be made available as directed by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan in consultation with Baba’s immediate family”.

It’s immense loss for the nation —Buhari

Former President Buhari described his death as a loss for the nation because “the late Chief Adebanjo was one of those rare politicians who straddled the worlds of the legal profession, politics, and socio-cultural activism.”

In a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the former president prayed for the repose of Adebanjo’s soul and for fortitude to his family, admirers, and the government and people of Ogun State to bear the loss.

Adebanjo left a big vacuum —Osuntokun

On his part, Mr Akin Osuntokun, former Political Adviser to Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the death of Afenifere leader, PA Adebanjo has left a big vacuum. Osuntokun, in a tribute to the late Afenifere leader, said: “Though we mourn his passing, it is more appropriately an occasion for the celebration of a durable, triumphant, and victorious life. It is a challenge to those of us he steadfastly mentored to rise up to the occasion of filling the big vacuum he has left behind. He came, he saw and he conquered. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

An Iroko has fallen —Makinde, Adams

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has likened the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, to the fall of a mighty Iroko tree in the forest.

Governor Makinde, who described Pa Adebanjo’s death as the end of an era, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, commended him for being a great nationalist, federalist, patriot and true democrat, who gave his all for Nigeria to be a better country.

Describing Adebanjo as a father of all, Governor Makinde expressed his condolences to the immediate family of the late Afenifere leader, the Afenifere, the Government and people of Ogun State and the entire South-West people.

Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, described the death of Adebanjo as a monumental loss, saying the Yoruba leader was an Iroko, whose voice remained prominent across Nigeria. Adams, in a statement, said the death of Pa Adebanjo has created a big vacuum in the socio- political space, depriving the Yoruba of a strong voice that revolves around every circle.

He said: “I received with great shock the news of the death of the foremost Yoruba son, an uncompromised leader, repository of political history in Yoruba land and apostle of true federalism, the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

“His death was such a monumental loss ,creating a vacuum in socio- political space and depriving the Yoruba of a strong voice in the polity. “In his death, we have lost a lot, considering his modest lifestyle, wisdom, and bluntness. Pa Ayo Adebanjo was a true disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who preached the gospel of true federalism and remained committed to the ideals of the late Awolowo.

“The late Pa Adebanjo was also the man with a lion’s heart, courageous and blunt. He feared no tribulations and all his life, he was also a symbol of integrity and hard work.”

Adebanjo’s exit marks the end of a glorious era — Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the passing of Adebanjo as the end of a glorious era. In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, Abiodun described Adebanjo as a man of principle and one of the most prominent and unwavering disciples of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Abiodun, who described Adebanjo’s death as a profound loss to Nigeria, said the government and people of Ogun State could not have wished for a more glorious end for the unblemished apostle of federalism, good governance, and the defense of Yoruba interests, who stood head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries and set the pace in the critical appraisal of governments and governance as vehicles of social engineering. He described the late legal and political icon as one of the few Nigerians whose life embodied the story of Nigeria, from the struggle for independence to the post-independence era, straddling military rule and the return to democratic rule, together with all the joys and pains of those epochal moments.

He added, “to all intents and purposes, Chief Ayo Adebanjo represented the finest of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole, and his ideals will never be forgotten.”

We’ve lost a rare patriot —The Patriots

Also, The Patriots, which promised to to Immortalise Adebanjo’s legacies, commiserated with Adebanjo’s family and the people of Nigeria.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Chief Wale Okunniyi, The Patriots said it received the news of Adebanjo’s demise with heavy heart. Nevertheless, we are proud to be associated with the exemplary life of a major political era in Nigeria lived by the National Leader of Afenifere, who was also a leading light and one of the founders of The Patriots.

“The Patriots are also glad to relish with pride Chief Adebanjo’s forthrightness and consistency in speaking truth to power in his lifetime, especially since his emergence as the organising secretary of the Action Group, AG in the 40’s under the revered leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory.”