Pa Ayo Adebanjo, elder statesman and leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, died on Friday at the age of 96.
Adebanjo died peacefully at his Lekki residence in Lagos.
A journalist and lawyer, Adebanjo was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, on April 10, 1928.
He started his political journey in 1943 as a Zikist, following Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, before joining Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group (AG) in 1951.
As an “Awoist”, Adebanjo advocated for federalism, free education and better social welfare amongst Nigerians.
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CHARGED WITH FELONY, FLED TO GHANA
In 1962, a crisis broke out within the AG, a result of the personality and ideology clash between Awolowo, the leader of the party, and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, his deputy.
The crisis led the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the western region and also appoint M.A. Majekodunmi as the administrator of the region.
Awolowo was tried by the government for a treasonable felony, while Adebanjo, being an Awoist, was also charged with a felony. During that period, Adebanjo fled to Ghana.
While in exile, Adebanjo’s father was arrested, detained and abused by the state.
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A NADECO MEMBER
Following the annulment of the general election of June 12, 1993, which was won by Moshood Kashimawo Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adebanjo was one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) who protested against the military government’s decision.
Adebanjo joined protests, stood at barricades and made his voice heard. Members of the coalition and other civil society groups were shot at, harassed and humiliated at the time.
“I have told people that my problem with the annulment has nothing to do with MKO Abiola as an individual. My problem with that annulment also has nothing to do with the fact that Abiola is a Yoruba man. Even if the annulment had been against a Chukwuemeka or a Dan Fulani or an Essien Udom or Isokrari James, I would still have opposed that annulment the way I have always opposed it.” Adebanjo said in a 2020 interview.
“Look, 14 million Nigerians voted. Why should one man, just one man, decide that he would annul that election? What right does one man have to say that he is annulling an election? In a country where people voted just one man annulled the election, why?.”
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AUTHENTICITY OF TINUBU’S CERTIFICATE
In an interview with The Punch in August 2023, Adebanjo questioned President Bola Tinubu’s integrity and said Nigerians ought to be ashamed of him.
“Nigerians should be ashamed to have a president with a certificate baggage,” Adebanjo said.
At the time, President Bola Tinubu had claimed he lost his original certificates and presented a replacement of his Chicago State University (CSU) diploma to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election.
While reacting to the certificate issue, the Afenifere leader said no honest person could defend Tinubu on the matter.
“There is no truth in what he (Tinubu) says. That’s the unfortunate thing. I feel sorry for the country, particularly Tinubu defenders. Can they be proud? Whether true or not, why is it him? When they finally produced the record from the university, it was even more damaging,” Adebanjo said.
“In this Tinubu saga, you presented the certificate from the university, now they are trying to change (the conversation) to his attendance at the university.
“How many people attended the university and never completed it or even dropped out? You said you attended and have the certificate, and the registrar said they don’t know about the certificate. What more do you want?
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“This is what makes me sad in this country and those still saying something in defence of this ugly situation where we should cover our face as Nigerians that the man we produced to be our president has his baggage. I am concerned.
“Mind you, I should be one of those who should be proud that Tinubu is the president of this country because I made him the governor of Lagos State. When this certificate saga started, I was the one who defended him. I defended him from the fact I saw at that time. But when some facts are now coming up, I folded my arms,” he said.
“Forget technicalities, do the substantial justice. Can any honest person, in view of the exposure from the university, say he (Tinubu) got that certificate from the university?”
Adebanjo is survived by a 94-year-old wife, children and many grandchildren.
The post Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere Leader Who Questioned Tinubu’s Integrity, Transitions appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.