Tinubu hails fierce opponent Ayo Adebanjo at 96

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, on the occasion of his 96th birthday.

Tinubu commended Adebanjo for his “decades of spirited advocacy for a united and equitable Nigeria” and contributions to national discourse.

In a statement released on Wednesday by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu prayed that God grant the elder statesman more years in excellent health.

“President Bola Tinubu congratulates elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, on his birthday,” the statement reads.

“The President commends Chief Adebanjo for his decades of spirited advocacy for a united and equitable Nigeria, as well as for contributions to enriching the national discourse.”

Adebanjo was born on April 10, 1928, in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, Ogun state.

Adebanjo, a lawyer and activist, has played prominent roles in the political system of the country.

During the Western region crisis in 1962, he fled the country to Ghana.

Over the years, he has been clamouring for restructuring and the annulment of the 1999 constitution.

Adebanjo is 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 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”.