Senate will ensure Ayo Adebanjo gets befitting burial, says Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says the upper legislative chamber will ensure Ayo Adebanjo, the late elder statesman, is given a “befitting” burial.

Akpabio spoke on Friday when he led senators on a condolence visit to the family of the late Yoruba leader in Lagos state.

Adebanjo, a factional leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba sociocultural organisation, died on February 14 at his residence in Lekki, Lagos state. He was aged 96.

“We are here today to further assure you that you are not alone on this. The Nigerian senate and Nigerians are with you and will support you to accord our departed icon a befitting burial,” Akpabio said.

“Let me assure you all that the senate across party lines, is prepared to be part of the arrangements to give our late father, a befitting burial.

“Before we came here, Senator Gbenga Daniel ensured that during our Thursday sitting, we accorded our Baba his due respect by allowing senators to pay tributes on the floor of the senate and speak on what they knew about our departed father.

“We don’t have to mourn his departure because he lived a life that we are all proud of today. He fought alongside others to ensure that we have the democracy we all enjoy today.

“Pa Adebanjo lived and died speaking truth to power. His intentions were not to be seen as an opponent or enemy of any government or party.

“His outbursts sometimes on national issues, were intended to make people in government do the right thing for the masses. He was a Pan-Nigerian. He lived well. We shall celebrate him.”

Akpabio was accompanied by Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, and Onyekachi Nweboyin, the deputy whip.

Other lawmakers are Solomon Adeola, Abiru Adetokuno, Gbenga Daniels, Titus Zam and Asuquo Ekpenyong.