‘He was a father figure despite our political differences’ — Tinubu mourns Ayo Adebanjo

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family of Ayo Adebanjo over the death of the factional leader of Afenifere.

The elder statesman died 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, Tinubu said the elder statesman would be missed for his “regular interventions in national affairs and decades of political activism”.

The president said Adebanjo was one of the leading voices against military dictatorship in Nigeria.

Tinubu said that despite the political differences between him and Adebanjo in recent times, the elder statesman remained a father figure to him.

“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,” the president said.

“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.”

Adebanjo was one of the fierce critics of Tinubu and did not support his presidential ambition during the 2023 elections.

His faction of Afenifere backed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

After the 2023 elections, the late elder statesman said the polls, which brought Tinubu to power, were a “sham”.

In October 2023, he said Nigerians should be ashamed to have a president with a certificate “baggage”.