By Peter Adelowo
President Bola Tinubu says he received the news of the passing of one of the Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, whom he calls Baba, with profound sorrow.
In a tribute, the President says Nigeria has lost a political leader, whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
He says all who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for.
The President notes that Baba Ayo’s principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed.
“As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse. Though we mourn his departure, we are also grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life—96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity”, he observes.
President Tinubu makes reference to PA Ayo as a lawyer, statesman, and politician, saying that he stood among the last of a generation of nationalists and independent heroes who shaped the foundation of the country.
“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”, the President says.
He recalls that in moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest, adding that 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 a collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance.
The President says his unwavering commitment to truth and justice extended to his 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”, he recounts.
He extends condolences to his family, the Afenifere family, the Governors of the Southwest, past and present, and all Nigerians who shared his vision.
The President urges them to have solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others, a legacy, he observes, will continue to inspire generations to come.
The President prays for eternal rest for the soul of whom he describes as a great patriot, hoping that his ideals, which he so passionately envisioned, forever resonate in the country.
According to the family, Baba transitioned peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Lekki, Lagos.
