A gathering of Nigeria’s political elite converged in Ogun State on Friday, May 3, 2025, to pay final respects to the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away in February at the age of 96. The funeral service at St. Phillip Anglican Church in Isanya Ogbo, Odogbolu Local Government Area, became a moment of national reflection as dignitaries across party lines honored the life and legacy of the veteran activist and statesman.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun led the tributes, describing Adebanjo as “a titan of integrity and justice” whose lifelong advocacy shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey. “Chief Adebanjo was among the brave few who risked everything to oppose military dictatorship,” Abiodun noted in his eulogy. “He was a dogged fighter for true federalism who persistently argued that Nigeria’s over-centralized system bred economic imbalance and ethnic tension.”
The ceremony attracted an unprecedented gathering of political leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo). Also present were former Ogun governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, and former deputy governor Adegbenga Kaka.
Archbishop Michael Fape of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province delivered a poignant sermon urging Nigerians to emulate Adebanjo’s purposeful living. Drawing from John 18:37-38, Fape described the late nationalist as “a fearless advocate of democracy who embodied the virtues of justice, equity and fairness.” The cleric challenged current leaders to adopt Adebanjo’s selfless approach, stating that Nigeria’s situation would improve markedly if more leaders followed his example.
Governor Abiodun’s tribute highlighted Adebanjo’s role in revitalizing Afenifere as a potent force for regional integration and constitutional reform. “Beyond politics, he was a cultural custodian who denounced nepotism and corruption without fear,” Abiodun remarked. “His life offers a timeless blueprint for nation-building—one defined by courage, conviction and unbending integrity.”
The funeral marked the final chapter for one of Nigeria’s last surviving political disciples of Obafemi Awolowo, closing an era of frontline activism that spanned from colonial rule through military regimes to the current democratic dispensation. As mourners departed, the consensus echoed Abiodun’s closing remark: “His ideals will live on in millions of hearts, lighting the path to a just, united and truly federal Nigeria.”
