Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, is dead. He was 96 years old.
The Adebanjo family announced his death in a statement that was jointly signed by his children, namely, Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.
Newsbaxket gathered that Pa Adebanjo died in the early hours of Friday morning of February 14, 2025 in his Lekki residence in Lagos. He died peacefully at home.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation and humanity, we announce the passing of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.”
“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos home, at the age of 96”. “We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice”, the statement read.
According to the statement, details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, adding that a condolence register has been opened at his residence in Lagos and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Late Pa Adebanjo was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, on April 10, 1928.
The elder statesman began his political journey in 1943 as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe before joining the Action Group in 1951.
Pa Adebanjo was also a mentee and political disciple of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Adebanjo was initially a journalist before studying law in the United Kingdom. After completing his studies, he was called to the English Bar in 1961.
In 1951, he became a member of the Action Group youth wing and later became the organising secretary of the party.
Pa Adebanjo fled to Ghana in 1962 following Awolowo’s treasonable felony trial and was charged alongside 30 others. He was arrested and detained multiple times for his political stance and activism.
Adebanjo played a major role in the National Democratic Coalition protests following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
He was a leading voice in the call for Nigeria’s restructuring and regional autonomy.
Pa Adebanjo was a member of both the 1978 Constituent Assembly and the 2014 National Political Conference.
As an Afenifere leader, he was a leading voice in the call for Nigeria’s restructuring and regional autonomy.
Adebanjo remained active and vocal in Nigerian politics until his death, throwing his weight alongside his Afenifere group behind the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election.
Pa Adebanjo is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.