The late leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Samuel Ayo Adebanjo, was on Saturday remembered as a dedicated advocate for Nigeria who tirelessly championed a true federal state founded on equity, fairness, and justice.
This was the sentiment shared by the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, The Most Rev’d Dr Olusina Fape, during the order of funeral service held on Saturday at St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Bishop Fape, who also serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of Remo, noted that the late Bajulaiye of Ile Ife was a politician of unwavering conviction, unlike many of today’s politicians who frequently switch allegiances between political parties.
He observed that the late Baba Ijo of St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, was courageous and steadfast in his commitment to honesty, integrity, and truth, mirroring his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. “
Tributes from friends and foes of Pa Ayo Adebanjo in their various forms since his death have echoed the life of a man who did not sacrifice integrity on the altar of filthy lucre,” Bishop Fape stated. “He was an unrepentant Awoist. What this means is that Chief Adebanjo lived and operated with clearly defined goals and ideology, just like his mentor: Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”
The funeral service was attended by several prominent figures, including the governors of Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo States—Prince Dapo Abiodun and his wife Bamidele, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Engr Seyi Makinde—as well as former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Yemi Cardoso; and the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Speaking on the theme “The Glory of a Purposeful Life,” Bishop Fape affirmed that the late Adebanjo lived a life dedicated to the betterment of the nation and humanity.
He expressed concern that the passing of ideological political figures like Chief Awolowo and Adebanjo could further contribute to the rise of political parties in Nigeria lacking a clear ideological foundation.
Bishop Fape remarked, “As we celebrate the purposeful life of Chief Ayo Adebanjo today, a progressive democrat par excellence, it is very sad that his exit, in addition to the earlier exit of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, would further increase the emergence of political parties in our nation without proper political ideological configuration. From his time in the Action Group, to the Unity Party of Nigeria, to the Social Democratic Party and the emergence of the Fourth Republic’s progressive party, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), of which Chief Ayo Adebanjo was a founding member in 1999, he had been very consistent. Chief Ayo Adebanjo was not like many politicians of our days, who are mere chameleons and fair-weather politicians jumping from one party to another.
“It is very sad for somebody to have been part of an administration or government for sixteen years, and because he has lost out to another political party in an election, to now be describing his former political party as corrupt, reckless or irresponsible.
“How come that they have quickly forgotten that they were part of the corruption, recklessness and rottenness of the past administrations? It is only in Nigeria this can happen, where people have no sense of shame and are only out for personal monetary gain and not to serve the overall good of their country. Because of lack of clear political ideology, that is why some politicians today who are considered as rogues, corrupt and wanted for the evils they have done in one party quickly run to another party. While in one political party, they were devils and corrupt, but by the time they migrate or defect to another political party, they suddenly become saints and are spared their previous corruption charges. That is why I pity many of our politicians who have wasted the destiny of this nation, thinking that they are clever, jumping from one political party to another, claiming they are on a rescue mission in this nation; when in fact, they are only on a mission of self-survival and relevance. They are not clever. They are men and women without any clear purpose for coming into politics. No wonder, Myles Munroe says, ‘When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse becomes inevitable.’
Therefore, except many of the present-day politicians at national, state and local government levels ask for forgiveness, they will suffer the consequences of their wrongdoings against this nation together with their upcoming generations.”
Other notable attendees included former Governors of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili and her husband; Dr Solomon Asemota SAN; Chief Ayo Opadokun; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Senator Adegbenga Kaka; and Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele.
Bishop Fape urged Nigerians to follow Adebanjo’s example by leading purposeful lives free from greed and corruption.
Bishop Fape urged the congregation to embrace the vision of Nigeria that Chief Adebanjo tirelessly pursued. He called for a commitment to living with purpose, free from avarice and dishonesty, and to actively consider how to contribute to the nation’s progress. He expressed faith that Nigeria would overcome its challenges. He further prompted each individual to reflect on whether their life, if it ended then, would be remembered as having fulfilled its intended purpose, suggesting that a clear understanding of one’s purpose is essential for a meaningful and impactful existence.
In his tribute, Governor Abiodun described Pa Adebanjo as a steadfast advocate for federalism, whose passing signifies the end of a significant era in Nigeria’s political history.
He added that the late Afenifere leader was a symbol of Yoruba resistance against marginalization.
