…….His Death A Great Loss For The Yoruba Nation And Nigeria .
It is with a heart full of sorrow that
I, my immediate family and the entire members of Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training Foundation (YKLTF) mourn the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the quintessential nationalist and one of the last inner circle titans of the indefatigable political family of the great Pa Obafemi Awolowo, the indisputable leader of the Yorubas.
Pa Ayo Adebanjo was once upon a time the Organising Secretary of the Action Group (AG) and the Leader of Afenifere until his death.
He was a pillar of solidarity to those who believe in the restructuring of Nigeria.
Papa Adebanjo never at no time hid his unflinching support for equity and justice in the political configuration of Nigeria, be it politically or economically. He fought until his last breath, all reactionary forces that he perceived as standing against Nigeria’s wheel of progress.
He was one Yoruba man who never allowed ethnicity becloud his sense of justice and equity.
He was undoubtedly a die hard Awoist until he breathed his last.
I cannot but mention the leading role Pa Adebanjo played in the days of NADECO which helped in fighting the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections but also in the struggle that sent the military back to their barracks.
In the heydays of the dark era of the regime of Late Gen Sanni Abacha, Pa Adebanjo was fond of publicly daring the military regime of which he had a mantra for whenever people bring to his consciousness the danger involved in his struggle to entrench democracy.
He use to constantly retort: “All I owe them is one bullet !”.
He was a man of his words. He stood his ground against military dictatorship without moving an inch away from Nigeria ! He dueled with the lions right within their den !
I shall not forget how Yoruba Koya was birthed with the Late Alaafin Adeyemi, Iku Baba Yeye as the Grand Patron and Pa Adebanjo as the Patron.
In fact after the Fulani Herdsmen invasion into Yoruba land and the bloodshed it entailed right through the areas of Oke Ogun, some Yoruba Patriots approached him and got his blessings in order to repel the evil force. Those who gave their blessings thereto at the time were statesmen like Pa Fasoranti, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu and Professor Banji Akitoye, to mention but a few. With their help and support we succeeded then.
He was a man that was a beauty and comfort for me to relate with, being an Afenifere myself. He was a man of a very robust mind.
The Iroko is gone.
The Araba tree has shifted position.
The Lion has further moved on to another part of the divide. A man of valour has departed our midst.
You will be sorely missed by all who demand a restructuring of the Nigerian nation. You will be forever spoken about by all those who love justice and equity.
You were brave, outspoken, non conformist yet tender and compassionate.
You were unflinchingly loyal to the cause of a better and greater Nigeria until you breathed your last.
I will hereby use this opportunity to plead that as we delve deeper into another political cycle in Nigeria, patriots of the Yoruba race should stand up and let us with our voice and actions fill up the vacuum that the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo has brought upon Nigeria’s political space. Let’s all march on for a better nation of progress and prosperity where peace, justice, equity and the rule of law reigns.
Adieu Papa Adebanjo. Journey well until we meet to depart no more.
May your soul rest in peace Sir.
Otunba (Giwa) Deji Osibogun President – YKLTF.
