• He was a rare politician – Buhari
Following the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, one of the Afenifere’s leaders, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the nation will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched her political discourse.
Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, said he received the news of the death of Pa Adebanjo, with profound sorrow.
He noted that 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.
According to the family, Baba transitioned peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Lekki, Lagos.
Tinubu’s statement reads in part: “All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for.
“His 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.
“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.
“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.”
It continues: “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.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Afenifere family, the governors of the Southwest, past and present, and all Nigerians who shared his vision.
“Let us take solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others—a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Similarly, the Former President, Muhammadu Buhari who also mourned Adebanjo’s demise, described him as one of the nation’s most notable leaders.
Describing his death as a loss for the nation, Buhari, in statement from Garba Shehu, his media aide, said: “The late Chief Adebanjo was one of those rare politicians who straddled the worlds of the legal profession, politics, and socio-cultural activism.”
He also prayed for the repose of his soul and for fortitude to his family, admirers, and the government and people of Ogun State to bear the loss.
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