The apex of the Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has been struck with profound dismay upon receiving the heartrending news of the passing of Pa Ayodele Samuel Adebanjo. This sorrowful event, akin to a thunderclap in the serene skies of our collective heritage, has compelled us to halt our customary activities and observe two traditional market days of mourning, as we honor a true ally of the Igbo people.
We unequivocally assert that the demise of Pa Adebanjo, the illustrious leader of Afenifere, represents an irreplaceable national loss for the entirety of Nigeria. His death is not merely a loss for the southwestern region or the Oduduwa Nation, but a void felt across the landscape of our nation’s socio-political fabric. Pa Adebanjo was a stalwart figure within the Middle Belt—Southern Nigerian Forum, an esteemed coalition that unites ethnic groups from the Middle Belt, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PANDEF, and Afenifere itself.
In our collective memory, Pa Ayodele Samuel Adebanjo will be immortalized as that rare breed of progressive elder statesman who transcended the limitations of tribalism and sectionalism. In a remarkable display of patriotism, he ardently supported the candidacy of an Igbo son, Mr. Peter Obi, in the fiercely contested 2023 presidential election, setting aside parochial interests in favor of justice and equity. This act of solidarity amidst the historical frictions between the Yoruba and Igbo peoples stands as a beacon of hope and reconciliation.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo proudly recognizes that Pa Adebanjo’s relentless advocacy forged pathways toward understanding, dismantling the walls of suspicion that have separated our peoples for far too long. His fierce commitment to inclusivity and peace is a legacy that demands acknowledgment and reverence. It is inescapably clear that he stood with the Igbo Nation during one of the most tumultuous periods in our contemporary political narrative.
In light of his courageous contributions, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governors of the Southeast to honor Pa Adebanjo’s memory by renaming a public institution in his name. Such an act would serve as a poignant tribute to a man whose heart beat not for his own benefit but for the collective good of the Nigerian society. We implore the honorable Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State and the only Labour Party Governor, to demonstrate uncommon valor by renaming an institution, possibly the Abia State College of Education in Arochukwu or a major thoroughfare, after the esteemed Pa Ayodele Samuel Adebanjo.
Furthermore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will earnestly participate in the funeral rites and commemorations that shall be held in honor of this great man within the Oduduwa Nation.
On behalf of the global family of Igbos, both at home and in the diaspora, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Pa Adebanjo, the leadership of Afenifere, the Oduduwa Nation, and all Southwest Governors. May the Almighty God grant him serene repose as we mourn the passing of a truly remarkable leader who dared to dream of unity in a divided land.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Deputy President General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo
