Chief Samuel Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, died on February 14, 2025. Aged 96, Adebanjo died at his home in Lekki, Lagos. Born on April 10, 1928, he participated fully in the struggle for independence, the post-independence party politics, the civil war, military rule, and the final return to democracy.
Adebanjo’s involvement in politics began early in his life when in 1943 he joined the Zikists Movement led by the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. A defining moment in his political journey came in 1951 when he became a member of the youth wing of the Action Group (AG), beginning his lifelong sojourn as a mantee and disciple of the party leader, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Dedicating his life to the principles of Awoism’s free education, free healthcare, rural development, and federalism, Adebanjo remained faithful to these ideals, earning him a reputation as a dedicated advocate for democracy, good governance and Yoruba interests.
His early career included journalism and a brief stint at the Ministry of Health, where he was dismissed for participating in pro-independence protests. He enrolled at the Council of Legal Education and was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1961.
In 1962, Adebanjo was charged with treasonable felony alongside 30 others during the tumultuous period of the Action Group and Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s trial for treasonable felony. Following this, he escaped into exile in Ghana.
During the Second Republic, he was a member of Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, which was won by Chief MKO Abiola of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adebanjo was one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
And in the run-up to democratic rule in 1999, he pitched his tent with the Alliance for Democracy (AD). When the AD transformed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Adebanjo withdrew from partisan politics and focused on leading Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group committed to the ‘Awoist ideology.’
Adebanjo was a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly and the 2014 National Political Conference where he advocated federalism, restructuring of Nigeria, regional autonomy, and a re-negotiation of the mandate of 1914.
We at Daily Trust join in mourning the passing of Chief Adebanjo. We note that even though he never aspired or held any public office, either elected or appointed, he still impacted society by his unwavering spirit, resilience and commitment to the good of the larger public. He was a champion and advocate of respect for human rights and rule of law and pursued it as platform for building a just and equitable society in Nigeria.
We also celebrate his life of deep convictions, having lived with an unwavering commitment to ideas and ideals rather than opportunism. He exhibited courage in his political struggles and lived a life of sacrifice and loyalty to the ‘Awoism’ principles.
Adebanjo was one of those who brought passion and character to ethnic nationality leadership, refusing to pander to injustice just to favour his own ethnic group. And yet, he enjoyed that uncommon grace of inspiring and mobilizing his people for the common good while promoting the interests of all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic or regional backgrounds. Though a firm believer in regional politics, Adebanjo was an incurable protagonist of Nigeria’s greatness.
We, therefore, hope that his life of dedication and commitment will inspire a new generation of leaders and engender dialogue between the different groups in the country.
Though we mourn his passing, we celebrate his legacy of integrity. And we will always remember his razor-sharp mind with a focus and ideology that was very rigid and unbendable.
Indeed, Nigerians would miss his interventions in burning national issues. Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who expressed sadness over Adebanjo’s death, called him “a national hero and crusader for justice who continued to advocate for a better society till the very end.”
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted in his tribute: “Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
“His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed. As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse. Though we mourn his departure, we are also grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life—96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity.
“Let us take solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others—a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. May the soul of this great patriot find eternal rest, and may his ideals, which he so passionately envisioned, forever resonate in our country.”
The best way to immortalise Adebanjo is not just by naming a regional or national monument in his remembrance. It is to enthrone equity, fairness and justice for all Nigerians and having a Nigeria that works for all.