- Safiu Kehinde
The final burial of late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has attracted several dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amongst others.
NPO Reported that the late Adebanjo passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96.
The distinguished lawyer and former organising secretary of the Action Group, was buried on Saturday at Isanya Ogbo in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Also in attendance at his burial were Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his counterparts from Lagos and Oyo States, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Makinde, respectively.
According to report, Abiodun in his tribute during the funeral service held at St Philip Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, described the late Adebanjo as a titan of integrity and justice, and a dogged fighter for true federalism who always wanted the best for Nigeria.
The Ogun governor hailed his stand against nepotism, corruption, and impunity.
He further described the late Afenifere leader as one of the heroes behind the democratic governance the country now enjoys.
“Chief Adebanjo was a dogged fighter for true federalism. He persistently argued that Nigeria’s over-centralised system of government bred economic imbalance and ethnic tension.
“Under his leadership, Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, was revitalised, becoming a potent force with democratic wisdom pushing for regional integration, restructuring, and devolution of powers.
“Beyond politics, he was deeply committed to preserving the rich Yoruba culture. He denounced nepotism, corruption, and impunity whenever they reared their ugly heads, becoming a moral compass for all.
“As Nigeria continues its walk towards democratic consolidation, the life of Chief Ayo Adebanjo remains a timeless blueprint for Nigeria—one defined by courage, conviction, and unbending integrity.
“His ideals will continue to live on in the hearts of millions, and his contributions shall serve as a path to building a just, united, and truly federal Nigeria.” Abiodun said.
On his part, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, hailed the late Adebanjo for speaking truth to power and inspiring generations.
As contained in a post shared on his X handle, Makinde held that the deceased Afenifere leader was strong advocate of equity and fairness for all Nigerians regardless of their ethnicity.
“It was an opportunity to pay our last respects to Baba whose legacy of speaking truth to power in his advocacy for restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria inspires us.
“Pa Adebanjo championed a nation built on equity and fairness for all Nigerians regardless of their ethnicity.” He wrote.
Also in attendance at the event were former governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, and Chief Ayo Opadokun, among others.
More details later…