Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Solan) has mourned the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, describing the demise of the nonagenarian as a huge loss, not only to the Yoruba nation particularly, but also Nigeria in general.
Lanlehin, who represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015 in a personally-signed statement released in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, noted that with Papa Adebanjo’s passing, the nation had lost another patriot, statesman and avowed democrat, whose commitment to the principles of progressivism and politics of welfarism, as enunciated by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, remained unwavering.
“Papa Adebanjo was a committed democrat, one to whom politics remained a vehicle for the emancipation of the people, and who never departed from the ideals of the sage, Chief Awolowo.
As a prominent member of the Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, and later Leader, Chief Adebanjo gave his all, in furtherance of the group’s motto, freedom for all, life more abundant, contributing immensely to Yoruba, and by extension, Nigerian politics and polity.
“I also recall his frontline role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and how he gave his all, in the defence of democracy and the de-annulment of the freest and fairest election ever held in the nation’s history, as well as the restoration of Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, as the rightful winner of that election,” Lanlehin said.
Noting that Chief Adebanjo was conscientious and highly principled, totally defending whatever good cause he believes in, Lanlehin urged aspiring and current leaders to take a cue from the life and times of the departed elder statesman, in shaping their own lives and records, to serve as monuments, in the hearts and minds of generations after them.
“I commiserate with the nuclear and extended families of Chief Adebanjo, friends, associates, the Yoruba race, as well as fellow Nigerians on Chief’s demise. I pray that the Almighty grants the repose of his soul and grants us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Lanlehin concluded.
