FORMER President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the demise of a foremost nationalist and elder statesman, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Friday, the former President described Adebanjo’s death as a loss for the nation.
The statement added, “The late Chief Adebanjo was one of those rare politicians who straddled the worlds of the legal profession, politics, and socio-cultural activism.”
Buhari prayed for the repose of his soul and the fortitude of the family, admirers, and the government and people of Ogun State to bear the loss.
This newspaper reports that the chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, died at the age of 94 at his Lekki, Lagos State residence.
The family confirmed his death in a statement made available to our correspondent on Friday.
The statement was jointly signed by his children, namely, Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.
The family also disclosed that consultations are ongoing with Adebanjo’s friends, associates, and various interest groups across the country and beyond to finalise plans for a befitting funeral.
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.
The former organising secretary of the Action Group is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
