Abiodun mourns Fasoranti, says Nigeria has lost a democratic icon

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.

Abiodun commiserated with Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other prominent Yoruba leaders, as well as the family and associates of the deceased.

The governor noted that Pa Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, lived a remarkable life defined by service, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the Nigerian nation.

He described the late elder statesman as one of the enduring voices in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, whose courage, convictions and sacrifices helped shape the country’s political development.

Abiodun said Fasoranti’s role in the struggle for democracy, particularly during the years of military rule, earned him a place among the foremost defenders of democratic governance and constitutional rule in Nigeria.

The governor noted that the deceased remained steadfast in his advocacy for justice, equity, good governance and restructuring, adding that his principled interventions in national affairs reflected a deep commitment to building a united and prosperous Nigeria.

He described Fasoranti as one of the last surviving links to a generation of nationalist-minded leaders who confronted authoritarian rule and championed democratic freedoms, stressing that his death had created a significant void in the Yoruba socio-political landscape.

Abiodun said the late Afenifere leader’s legacy would endure through the values he upheld, the causes he championed and the generations of Nigerians inspired by his commitment to democracy and national development.

He urged Afenifere, the people of Ondo State, the Yoruba nation and the deceased’s family to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the enduring contributions he made to society. The governor prayed that God would grant the departed elder statesman eternal rest and give his family, associates and the entire Yoruba nation the fortitude to bear the loss.