Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Afenifere stalwart, Ayo Adebanjo, as a great man, a committed nationalist, and an unpretentious personality.
The elder statesman passed away on Friday in his home, Lekki, Lagos State, at the age of 96.
In a tribute signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said the news of Adebanjo’s passing came as a shock.
“His passing is a huge loss to me, Ogun, and the entire country.
“I received the sad news with a deep sense of personal loss in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I am attending the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.
“The news was shocking because when I visited him on Feb. 3 at his Lekki residence, I did not foresee his demise so soon.
“Adebanjo had a highly successful career and selflessly served his community, state, and nation. As a foundation member of the Action Group party, he will be remembered as a patriot,” Obasanjo said.
According to him, the late nationalist was an exemplary politician of integrity who demonstrated that politics should be about service, not personal enrichment.
The former president recalled that, during his tenure from 1999 to 2007, he and Adebanjo occasionally disagreed but remained committed to regenerating and repositioning Nigeria.
“He was unpretentious. His thoughts, words, and actions were free of political bias. He had friends across the country and lived a life of remarkable experiences.
“He fought courageously for Nigeria’s restructuring, believing in governance based on democracy, justice, equity, stability, and national unity.
“It is unfortunate that he did not live to see this dream fulfilled. His contributions to strengthening our democracy will be missed by the entire nation,” Obasanjo stressed.
Obasanjo extended his condolences to Adebanjo’s immediate and extended family on their painful loss.
“We pray that God grants them, and all of us—his friends and admirers—the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“I will deeply miss my beloved friend. I cherish our remarkable memories together and hold onto the hope that we will meet again,” he said.
Adebanjo fearless freedom fighter, foremost elder statesman – Atiku
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has described the late Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as a freedom fighter, foremost elder statesman and one of Nigeria’s few remaining nationalists.
Abubakar, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that the late Afenifere leader was a formidable force and fearless fighter for justice, equity and an egalitarian society.
He recalled the heroic role which Adebanjo played in wresting power from the military and enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria.
He said that Pa Adebanjo was at the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship.
“It is on record that Pa Adebanjo spent his entire youthful days fighting against colonial rule; spent his middle age to fight against military dictatorship and his latter days to ensure that good governance, rule of law and democracy took firm roots in Nigeria.
“I wish to state without equivocation that Pa Adebanjo was a golden example of how to live and die for the good of the country.
“Apart from mentoring many generations of civil rights activists across different generations, Pa Adebanjo was an activist extraordinaire and bridge builder who led the battle against injustice and oppression from the trenches.
“Undoubtedly, the life and times of Adebanjo remain a priceless map for contemporary and upcoming activists who advocate for good governance to learn and take a cue from.
“He taught all of us how to be statesmen of distinction,” he said.
Abubakar condoled with the Adebanjo family, admonishing them to take solace in the fact that their patriarch was a father to the whole country and pride to the Black race.
He also commiserated with the people and government of Ogun and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.