‘A custodian of positive values’ — Fasoranti pays tribute to Ayo Adebanjo 

Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, has mourned the passing of Ayo Adebanjo.

Adebanjo, the factional leader of Afenifere, died on Friday at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, at age 96.

Adebanjo is survived by Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, his 94-year-old wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In a statement, Fasoranti described Adebanjo as a custodian of positive values, adding that his contributions to Nigeria’s independence and democracy will remain indelible in the annals of the country’s history.

He said Adebanjo was committed to the principles of good governance, the rule of law and the protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

“It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing into glory of Chief Samuel Ayodeji Adebanjo, my brother, comrade-in-arms and political associate for upwards of 70 years,” the elder statesman said.

“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.

“He was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for many noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere where he was once the acting leader.

“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.

“As a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, he 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.”

In 2022, Adebanjo was appointed the acting leader of Afenifere to succeed Fasoranti.

However, shortly after the appointment, there was a division in the Yoruba socio-political group.

In the buildup to the 2023 elections, the Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), while Fasoranti’s group backed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).