Lagos Assembly mourns Pa Ayo Adebanjo, describes him as a patriot

The Lagos State House of Assembly has mourned the late Afenifere Leader and an Awoist, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, saying his death was a devastating blow to the Yoruba race.

A statement issued on Friday by the Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, said Adebanjo lived his life in the service of Yoruba people.

The House described late Adebanjo as a ” thoroughbred Awoist,a progressive politician and a patriotic Nigerian.

“The Assembly enumerated the wonderful engagements of the late Awoist in the Defunct Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)of the Late Sage,Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He lived a fulfilled life and will be greatly missed by the political class as he was involved in virtually all progressive interventions.

“It’s unfortunate that today, we lost one of the leaders of Afenifere,a staunch Awoist and a progressive politician, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. His life was a life lived in the service of the people of Yoruba and humanity in general.

“We will misss him, especially his wise counsels on topical national issues as well as comments on germane matters that affect the Yoruba race. So,on behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos state house of Assembly, Rt (Hon) Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, I commiserate with the Afenifere as a group ,the Adebanjo family and the progressives all over the country on the unfortunate incident of the passage of chief Adebanjo. I pray God grant his soul eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss”, said the House.

Pa Adebanjo, a veteran nationalist and ardent follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, passed away peacefully at his Lagos home on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

He was a major political force from the First Republic through the Second Republic and a key figure in the pro-democracy movement that opposed military rule, especially after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.