President Bola Tinubu on Friday expressed sadness over the death of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere.
The elder statesman died early Friday at his home in Lekki, Lagos.
He was 96.
In a tribute, the president said Nigeria had lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity had left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
Tinubu said: “According to the family, Baba transitioned peacefully on Friday, February 14, at his home in Lekki, Lagos.
“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.”
He said though the nation mourned Adebanjo, it remained grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life of 96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity.
Tinubu said Adebanjo stood among the last of a generation of nationalists and heroes who shaped the foundation of the country.
“Chief Adebanjo was a devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose 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 added: “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.
“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.”