National leader of the Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti has mourned the passing of Chief Samuel Ayodeji Adebanjo, describing it as a “great sadness.”
Fasonranti who described Adebanjo as a brother, comrade-in-arms and political associate for upwards of 70 years, said the late elder statesman was committed to the principles of good governance, rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights of Nigerians.
The Yoruba leader stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to LEADERSHIP in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Friday.
The nonagenarian said the late Adebanjo was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere.
According to him, “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.
“Members of the Afenifere family will greatly miss this fallen hero. Chief Adebanjo was a custodian of positive values that define progressive politics in Nigeria.”
He added that as a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Adebanjo 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 fulfill the aspirations of the people. I pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Similarly, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has expressed great shock at the news of the death of foremost leader and staunch Awoist, describing his demise as a monumental loss.
The Yoruba generalissimo said this in a signed statement, noting that the death of the late Pa Adebanjo, who he further described as an Iroko, whose voice remained prominent across Nigeria, had created a big vacuum in the socio- political space, depriving the Yoruba of a strong voice that revolves around every circle.
Iba Adams, while also describing the late elder statesman as a true disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who preached the gospel of true federalism, and remained committed to the ideals of the sage, said the country had lost a lot through his death, considering his modest lifestyle, wisdom, and bluntness.
“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 a man with a lion heart, courageous and blunt. He feared no tribulations and all his life, he was also a symbol of integrity and hard work,” Adams stated.
Dwelling on his personal relationship with the late Afenifere leader, the Aare Ona Kakanfo said the life of Chief Adebanjo reminded him of the loss of a friend and his adopted son, the Late Yinka Odumakin, and the energy he put up in fighting for justice and fairness in Nigeria.
Adams, however, said he found solace in the fact that Baba Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life as a man of integrity and value.
“He would be glad in the end that he tried his best for the Yoruba. When a race loses such a leader and an unapologetic Awoist, a leader that speaks truth to power, you can understand the extent of the loss.
“But in all, I find solace in the fact that Baba Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life as a man of integrity and value. He would be glad in the end that he tried his best for the Yoruba,” he said.
“For us that are alive, the journey to address the obvious injustice and lacuna in Nigeria has continued even after the death of the late Yoruba leader. We will not relent in our efforts to promote the Ideals for which the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo lived and died for,” he added.
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