The National Chairman of Labour (LP), Julius Abure, the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor, the National Patriotic Front (NPF), among others, on Sunday paid tributes to the late leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing the late elder statesman as a courageous leader, man of integrity, and a strong advocate of a united Nigeria.
Chief Adebanjo died on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.
This came as the Labour Party held a Night of Tributes at the Lekki, Lagos residence of the elder statesman, attended by the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party, Pastor Dr. (Mrs.) Dayo Ekong; Pastor Jolomi Guoti of the Trinity Church, Lagos; Pastor Funke Awolowo; Mr. Segun Ayo Adebanjo; Mrs. Abiola Azeez, among others.
Abure, who was represented by Pastor Ekong, said that looking back at Pa Adebanjo’s past political career, one could see a man who foresaw the future of Nigeria and who gave all to ensure that a Nigeria where equity, justice, and fair play would evolve.
The LP National Chairman described Pa Adebanjo as a fearless leader who shunned all manner of trivialities and tribal sentiments, further calling him a great advocate for a united Nigeria who fearlessly canvassed “for true federalism, knowing that a Nigeria with its multi-ethnic nationalities, as presently constituted, would thrive better when power is not confined but liberalized.”
Abure, while noting that the late Pa Adebanjo was a product of struggle and a key member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which led to the reclaiming of democracy in 1999, said that the elder statesman died a proud supporter of the Labour Party, promising that the party would stand by his family at all times as well as uphold all the virtues for which he was known.
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“When we look back at his past political career, we had a man who foresaw the future of Nigeria and who gave all to ensure that a Nigeria where equity, justice, and fair play evolved.
“We saw a fearless leader who shunned all manner of trivialities and tribal sentiments; we saw a great advocate for a united Nigeria who fearlessly canvassed for true federalism, knowing that a Nigeria with its multi-ethnic nationalities, as presently constituted, would thrive better when power is not confined but liberalized.
“Papa Adebanjo was a product of struggle. He died a proud supporter of the Labour Party, and as a party, we stand by his family at all times and uphold all the virtues for which he was known.
“As Nigerians mourn the loss of this great patriot and his journey back to his creator, we in the Labour Party are eternally grateful to God for the selfless, altruistic, humane, and noble life Papa Adebanjo lived,” he said.
The National Patriotic Front, in its remarks, called on the Federal Government to immortalize the late Afenifere leader, saying that he had been an indefatigable politician ever since the First Republic and was in the forefront of the struggle for democracy.
NPF, in a statement signed by Wale Okunniyi and read at the event, equally lauded Chief Adebanjo as a strong advocate of restructuring and a leading voice in the 2014 Confab, noting that his demise was received with heavy hearts.
“But we are proud of the life he lived, his forthrightness in speaking truth to power,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivor eulogised the late elder statesman, saying that he embodied what Nigeria ought to be, describing him as an icon and a man passionate about seeing the country attain greatness.
The party chieftain said Pa Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life, urging Nigerians to emulate his good deeds in the interest of the country.
Ekong, in her speech, described the late Adebanjo as one who was so passionate about everybody, saying that he was a man who stood for unity, equity, and justice. She affirmed that he was also a father of the Labour Party and a father to all.
The LP state chairman called for a minute of silence in honour of the late leader, saying that there “is nothing we can do to say it is enough in honour of the man, our father, a great leader.”
“Adebanjo was not just a man; he was a movement. He was a legendary leader. He stood for what he believed in as long as it was in the interest of all, not minding whose ox was gored.
“He was passionate and looked for a new Nigeria to emerge, but Baba didn’t see that coming to pass before he passed away.
“Baba lived a good life. I have no doubt that we have lost an icon. If we believe in and love what Baba stood for, let us continue to move on, emulating him,” she said.
Pastor Guoti of the Trinity Church, Lagos, who preached “Living a Good Life” at the event, described the late Afenifere leader as an epitome of a good life, saying also that Pa Adebanjo lived a fulfilled life being courageous, selfless, generous, and loyal.
According to the cleric, Baba fought for the downtrodden, saying that someone like him was very hard to come by for his truthfulness and uncompromising stand on issues.
“Baba lived a fulfilled life, an epitome of a good life. Baba was courageous, selfless, generous, and loyal.
“Baba fought for the downtrodden. Someone like Baba is very hard to come by. He called black, black; he does not compromise. The man is an icon, an iroko, a man that spoke truth to power,” he said.
“I pray God would raise another man like Baba. The tributes are for us, so that we can learn what Baba stood for. It is our good deeds that follow us to the grave.
“Today, we still talk about Awolowo, why? This is because of what he did. That is what Baba will be remembered for. If we do what Baba did, a new and great Nigeria will rise,” he added.
Also speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Segun Ayo Adebanjo said his late father was a courageous person, as attested to by many people, adding that he had rare moral courage to stand alone for all, irrespective of tribe or religion.
He further described his late father as a man of integrity and a strong advocate of restructuring, among others, adding: “What I am proud of in my father is that he was a man with pride, Okunrin meta ni baba mi!”
“Many have called my father a courageous person; that is what he was. He had moral courage to stand alone for all, irrespective of tribe or religion. That courage is rare.
“Many have called him a man of integrity; that is what he was.
“Many have also called him an advocate of restructuring, a true Afenifere person, an egalitarian person, who wanted a better life for all, as depicted by the Afenifere that he led.
“What I am proud of in my father is that he was a man with pride. Okunrin meta ni baba mi!” he stated.
Attendees later embarked on a candle procession on Lekki streets in honour of the late Afenifere leader.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE