President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a prominent leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere and a lifelong advocate for democracy and justice in Nigeria.
According to his family, Pa Adebanjo passed away peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Lekki, Lagos, at the age of 96.
In a statement, President Tinubu described him as a principled statesman, lawyer, and nationalist whose decades of political activism shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for,” Tinubu said. “His interventions in national affairs enriched political discourse and strengthened our democracy.”
A devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Adebanjo played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape. He served as Organizing Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic and later became a leading figure in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic.
His activism was most pronounced during the struggle for democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. As a leading voice in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he opposed military dictatorship and fought for the restoration of civilian rule.
Tinubu also acknowledged Pa Adebanjo’s support during his own political journey, particularly in his election as Governor of Lagos State in 1999 under the Alliance for Democracy.
“Though our political paths later diverged, my respect and admiration for him never wavered. Until his passing, he remained a father figure to me,” the president added.
President Tinubu extended his condolences to Pa Adebanjo’s family, the Afenifere leadership, Southwest governors, and all Nigerians who shared in his vision of progress and equity.
“As we mourn his departure, we take solace in his enduring legacy—a life dedicated to service, truth, and justice,” Tinubu said. “May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his ideals continue to inspire future generations.”
