Ex-Presidential Aspirant, Anakwenze Mourns Late Adebanjo

A former Presidential aspirant under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze has commiserated with the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, Afenifere, and the family of the departed Chief Ayo Adebanjo over the passage of the elder statesman.

Adebanjo, a notable Afenifere chieftain, died peacefully in his sleep last Friday at his Lekki, Lagos home at 96.

In a statement on Sunday by his Director General, Comrade Eric Oluwole, Anakwenze said that the Country has lost a consistent, committed, principled and genuine advocate for a better Nigeria rebuilt on equity, fairness and Justice for all the composite ethnic groups, and that will be a shining example in the African continent and a pride of the Black Race worldwide.

He noted Adebanjo's exemplary sense of Justice,and his warmth towards all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or social backgrounds, as typified in his adoption, support of, and even campaign for the Labour Party's candidate in the last Presidential Election,

Mr Peter Obi,where his own kinsman and long-time political associate, the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was also a candidate.

Anakwenze also recalled how the departed elder stateman welcomed him warmly into his home earlier when he visited him as a Presidential Aspirant under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to the statement: “While thanking the Almighty Father for granting our illustrious Pa Ayo Adebanjo the privilege of passing away quietly, and peacefully in his sleep at the ripe age of 96 years, we note with regret that Nigeria our dear Country has lost a golden and honestly dedicated voice in the advocacy for a better Nigeria that will stand on the platform of equity, fairness and Justice, and thereby be a blessing for all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or social backgrounds.

“Pa Adebanjo's love of, and struggle for a new Nigeria was legendary as he demonstrated fiercely as a chieftain of NADECO, the arrow head of which was Afenifere, in the tortuous and bloody pro-democracy struggles that midwived the prevailing democratic dispensation.

“We also recall that Pa Adebanjo was until his passage, a brilliant, loyal and dedicated disciple of the departed sage, the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose Premiership of the defunct Western Region transformed the Region to an economic miracle that transformed the Region and attracted other Regions to follow suit, and whose struggles as the Leader of Opposition at the national level engendered national political development.

“I pray that Pa Adebanjo be accompanied by helpers as he shed his physical body to begin his natural and normal journey into the Beyond in continuation of his existence and journeying towards Paradise, the luminous Kingdom of the Almighty Father wherein the blessed dwell and serve joyfully our Creator.

“Fare thee well our own Pa Ayo Adebanjo.”