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Adesanya, Afenifere Leader, Dies at 85
By Ademola Adeyemo, 04.28.2008

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Frontline nationalist and Leader of Afenifere, the pan Yoruba political and cultural organisation, Chief Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, is dead.

He died yesterday in his Apapa, Lagos residence at 12.30pm according to family sources.

Before his death, Adesanya had withdrawn from public functions for about four years now as a result of illness associated with old age.

Sources said the late Afenifere leader did not betray any sign that his death was due as he woke up yesterday as he was said to be fine and even cracked jokes with family members.

He later requested for his breakfast but THISDAY learnt that he had hardly finished his meal when he began to complain of stomach upset. It was gathered that as he was being given medical attention, Adesanya breathed his last.

Another account said the late Afenifere leader died in the arm of his wife, Rosaline.

As soon as the news of his death filtered out, dignitaries began to storm the No 15, Abraham Adesanya Street, Apapa to offer their condolences. They were received by the deceased daughter, Mrs. Dupe Adelaja, who is also the Director-General of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDA).

While formally announcing the death of Adesanya, Afenifere, in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said the Second Republic Senator died peacefully at 83 in his Lagos residence.

According to the release, “Leader of Afenifere and NADECO and Second Republic Senator, Chief Abraham Adesanya is dead. The biggest Iroko has fallen. Adesanya served the Yoruba nation and Nigeria with loyalty, courage, steadfastness and commitment.
“A man of integrity, character and uncommon devotion to serving humanity, his death is a blow to the Yoruba nation.”

Among the early callers at late Adesanya’s residence yesterday were Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State, his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and Chief Supo Shonibare.

Others included Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olawale Oshin, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, and Odumakin.

There were also delegations of the Igbo and Hausa communities in Lagos State
In his tribute, Tinubu described the late Adesanya as an advocate of the poor, “as a lawyer he was a defender of the rule of law, a man of courage, a leader who meant so much to the people, not just the South-west but Nigeria as a whole, he also fought for national unity, we will surely miss his words of wisdom and good character.”

On the possible successor to the late Afenifere leader, Tinubu said it was too early to discuss the issue of successor.

“But don’t forget that he has left behind the likes of Fasanmi, Justice Kayode Eso and other credible leaders. Let us celebrate and appreciate him first before we can talk of succession,” he said.

Daniel described Adesanya as a honest and a man of integrity who lived a good and proud life. According to him, Adesanya was miles ahead of the current generation, adding that today’s leaders do not possess his qualities.

“For us in Ogun State, this is another loss. Loss of one of the last titans. We will never find another Awolowo; we cannot find another Adekunle Ajasin. So we will never find another Abraham Adesanya But it is possible to find a committed, selfless, courageous leader, though it appears that such leaders are thinning out but I am convinced that there are still credible leaders who can give good accounts of themselves.”

In his tribute, Fashola described the late Adesanya as a nationalist and a patriot while former Ogun State governor, Osoba, wrote in the condolence register thus: “You fought a good fight, you fought for democracy and you conquered.”

Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, described the late Adesanya as a fearless leader who provided dynamic leadership during the military dictatorship

Also, the leader of Pro National Conference Organisations (PRONACO), Chief Anthony Enahoro, in his condolence message described the late NADECO chieftain as the hero of the current democracy in Nigeria.

Enahoro said the death of Adesanya, who was the “numero uno of NADECO, Nigeria during the darkest period of the military junta of Sani Abacha, is an irreplaceable minus to the Nigerian progressive movement.

"As one of the pillars of the Nigerian political movement, he will be significantly missed in the current effort of PRONACO to reform the decadent Nigerian polity.
“Chief Abraham Adesanya will be immortalised by PRONACO for his outstanding contributions to the progressive movement in a special way to create a model for future generations of progressives.”

Meanwhile, Bayo, the eldest son of the late Adesanya, said yesterday that his father deserved to be immortalised by the Federal government. According to him, “Nigeria should immortalise him because he was a dogged fighter who fought for the democracy the country enjoys at present.'' He described his father as a national leader and a quintessential leader of the Yoruba race.

“My father was a father among fathers who will be missed by his wife and the four children he left behind,'' Bayo said.

The late Adesanya, a distinguished lawyer and politician, was born on July 24, 1922.
He hailed from Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State.

He attended St. John's Anglican School, Oke-Agbo from 1933 to 1935; Ojowo United Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo 1936-38; Methodist School, Osogbo 1939 and Ijebu-Igbo Grammar School 1941-1944.

In 1958, Adesanya enrolled in Holborn College of Law, London and graduated in 1960.
He was called to the English Bar in 1961.

Adesanya was a member of the defunct Western State House of Assembly and a Senator in the Second Republic.

He was Afenifere Leader and Deputy-Chairman, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
Adesanya was a member of the team of lawyers that defended late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the election tribunal in 1979.

He was a prominent member of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Alliance for Democracy.

Adesanya survived an assassination attempt in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Rosaline, and four children including Modupe Adelaja, Director-General, SMEDAN.

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Exit of The Man Who Survived Abacha’s Bullets
04.28.2008

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Senator Abraham Adesanya died yesterday after battling unsuccessfully with stroke which had rendered him inactive for four years. Omololu Ogunmade writes on the life and times of this brave ex-senator

Four years after he was crippled by a severe illness which reportedly culminated in a sudden loss of memory, leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Pa Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, finally gave up the ghost yesterday. Adesanya passed on at his Apapa residence at the age of 85.

Born on July 24, 1922, in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Adesanya commenced his elementary education at St. John’s Anglican School, Oke Agbo between 1933 and 1935, before moving to Ojowo United Primary School in Ijebu Igbo between 1936 and 1938. He proceeded from there to Methodist School, Osogbo in 1939 and later to Ijebu Igbo Grammar School between 1942 to 1944. He obtained a degree in Law from Holborn College of Law, London, the United Kingdom in 1960.

His departure has rekindled memories of his gallant life during his life and times. Adesanya returned to Nigeria after his education and forthwith entered into a legal practice. During the pre-independence Nigeria, he was a member of the Western State House of Assembly. And in 1979, he was elected into the Senate on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) founded and led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first premier of Western Nigeria.

As a senator, he was a courageous and outspoken member of the parliament. Owing to his firm stance on his positions, the late Adesanya was labelled a UPN senator at the Upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Adesanya became popular while serving as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the Second Republic, following his observation on the appointment of Justice Ovie Whiskey, a serving member of the old Bendel State judiciary, by the administration of Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shagari, the then president and Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Shagari ruled on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Whiskey’s appointment was sequel to the expiration of the tenure of his predecessor, Chief Micheal Ani. While Whiskey’s appointment was forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, Adesanya vehemently opposed it, saying it was wrong for an individual to hold dual public positions at the same time, since he did not resign his membership of Bendel State judiciary. But the leadership of the Senate headed by Senator Joseph Wayas overruled Adesanya.

Having lost out at the Senate, Adesanya vowed not to be cowed by the whims and caprices of his colleagues. He headed for the court to challenge the ratification of Whiskey’s appointment. And determined to push his case through, he employed the services of the foremost lawyer and human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. But as was the case in the Senate, Adesanya also lost out at the court. The court threw out his suit, insisting that he lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

According to the court, though Adesanya might not agree with the decision of the Senate to endorse Whiskey, it reasoned that whatever resolution passed by the legislative body became a collective resolve of all and sundry who belonged to the chamber at the time.
After the August 1979 general election, Adesanya was in the team of Awolowo’s lawyers who defended him at the Presidential Election Tribunal in 1979 on the twelve-two-thirds debacle.

During the dark days of military rule headed by the former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and the late General Sani Abacha, Adesanya was a leading figure in the fight against dictatorship. He was the deputy chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the platform through which pro-democracy activists fought gallantly for the return of Nigeria to civil rule. The late Chief Adekunle Ajasin was the chairman of the coalition.

In the same vein, Adesanya took over the mantle of the leadership of Afenifere, upon the demise of Ajasin and served in that capacity until he was incapacitated in 2004 by ailments from which he never recovered. He narrowly escaped assassination in 1996, when the killer squad of Abacha moved to kill him in cold blood because of his stiff opposition to the military junta.

Adesanya was commonly portrayed as a rigid person. But he often explained that his perceived rigidity was borne out of his principled posture and because of his avowed commitment never to compromise his belief under any guise. And to underscore his principled attribute, he publicly proclaimed that his daughter, Mrs. ‘Dupe Adelaja, the then Minister of State for Solid Minerals did not have his support to take up an appointment in that capacity in the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. In fact, he intimated the public with notions that he instructed his daughter not to accept the appointment, but she opted to go ahead.

As the leader of Afenifere, Adesanya was a force to reckon with. He made headlines whenever he spoke and thus became the delight of media practitioners. Afenifere under his leadership was a highly formidable platform whose decisions and criticisms could not be ignored at will. In fact, the body was more or less viewed as the assembly of kingmakers in Yoruba land.

For instance, it was Afenifere under the leadership of Adesanya that decided on who vied for what position in the newly formed Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the transition to civil rule programme of the administration of General Abdusalami Abubakar between 1998 and 1999.

But this hitherto vibrant platform had virtually gone comatose since 2004 when Adesanya took ill. Crises of monumental proportions have rocked the organisation, resulting in the polarisation of the body into factions, while members called themselves names. While a faction is being headed by Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whom Adesanya formally appointed to act on his behalf, another faction is led by Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who claims that Fasoranti’s appointment violates the group’s constitution.

Several attempts made by notable leaders in Yorubaland, such as Bishops Bolanle Gbonigi, Ayo Ladigbolu as well as Justice Kayode Eso to reconcile the combatants have remained a futile exercise. Not even the three-day retreat sponsored by youngsters in the race to reconcile the feuding leaders in October last year could achieve that purpose.
Although participants at the retreat held at the International Institute for International Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan embraced one another and vowed to forge ahead in the spirit of oneness and unity, that seeming reconciliation lasted but a while as the feud later resurfaced.

But while Adesanya headed Afenifere, it remained a united entity, without records of dissidence and members had great respect for the leadership at the time. If threats by Fasanmi’s faction never to reconcile with the group led by Fasoranti are anything to go by, it will not be an overstatement to say that Adesanya might be the last leader to head a united Afenifere.

Because of the great respect he commanded as Afenifere leader, he was officially installed as the “Yoruba leader” in 1999. He commanded the credibility, discipline, integrity and authority that Yoruba leaders had stood for over the years. This was attested to while important Afenifere meetings were held at his Ijebu Igbo home. And that culture was sustained till last Thursday, when Fasoranti’s group held its caucus meeting in Ijebu Igbo home of Adesanya where they charged the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua to bring anyone found culpable in the ongoing probes at various levels to book.
Finding someone acceptable to step into the shoes of Adesanya has been the major hurdle before the race even before his demise. Since Adesanya’s incapacitation, the masses of Yoruba race look like sheep without shephered, having no instructor, nor anyone to look up to.

In a nutshell, Adesanya would go down in history as one leader who did his best in his dedication towards the advancement of his people as well as the larger society in which he resided.

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Adesanya: More Nigerians React
04.28.2008


Reactions to the death of the Afenifere Leader and NADECO chieftain, Senator Abraham Adesanya, came in torrents last night

Mark: Adesanya’s Death, a Great Loss
The Senate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday described the death of the elder statesman as a major loss to the nation.

He recalled Adesanya’s contributions to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria particularly in the fight against military dictatorship and said, “Nigerians will ever remember his dogged fight to ensure the advent of democracy in the country.”
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Mark said the late chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was a strong pillar in the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.

“As a former Senator, Adesanya was a quintessential, erudite and distinguished parliamentarian of international reckoning. Nigeria will surely miss Adesanya’s selfless, patriotic and commitment to nation-building,” he said.

The Senate President urged Adesanya’s family, the people of Ogun State and Nigeria to take solace in the fact that he left his foot prints in the sand of time.

Adelaja: My Father Was a Democrat
Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Dupe Adelaja, Adesanya’s daughter and said her father would be remembered for his contribution to democracy.

Adelaja, who broke down on arriving her father's residence in Apapa, said her father stood on the side of the masses, even when it was not convenient. “It is left to the people on how best they want to immortalise him, '' she said. "He will be remembered for his dogged and self-less service to the people, ''. Adelaja said that her father had been ill for about four years.

Obasanjo: I’m Saddened
Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said he was saddened by the news of the death of Adesanya.

He said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that, "Baba Adesanya was the link between the pre-independence and post-independence era of our nation particularly in the South-West. "His place will be difficult to fill and he will be sorely missed," he said.

Ajibola, Adegbite, Oshiomhole Also React
Former judge of the World Court, Prince Bola Ajibola, expressed shock at the death of Adesanya.

Speaking on telephone with NAN from London, the former Attorney-General of the Federation said it was a pity that the "strong politician and great fighter" had to die at this time.

“That is the end of a great generation. He fought gallantly for Nigeria's democracy. He was a great man, a great lawyer, a great politician, a great fighter and nationalist of the first order."

Also reacting, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said Adesanya's death had created a "big vacuum" in the leadership of the Yoruba nation.

"The nation has lost a formidable and patriotic leader. He was a very selfless political leader as a Senator who served the nation without a tarnished image. I do hope that this tragic loss will prepare the Yoruba nation to rally round and find a credible replacement for the late great leader," Adegbite said.

First civilian governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, commiserated with the family of the late political icon.

Oyegun in a telephone chat with THISDAY described the late Adesanya as a firm believer in the Nigerian dream, which he said he laboured and struggled to build but almost lost his life in the process.

The immediate past president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and AC gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said the death of Adesanya was a blow to the country.

Oshiomhole who was declared winner of the April 14 governorship election in Edo State by the court a few weeks ago said: "We have lost a great nationalist leader who had made great sacrifices for the cause of our nation. The country has lost a great historical personality who struggled and made great sacrifices for the restoration of democratic order. He was a principled fighter who stood for what he believed in without wavering."

Oni, Fayemi, Nnamani, Obanikoro Too
Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni and his Action Congress challenger in the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, described Adesanya as a true leader of the Yoruba race, whose demise would be greatly missed by all.

According to the governor in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant Communications, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, the late Adesanya was a good man who led the struggle to democratize the country.

"I wish to express my heart-felt condolence to the entire Yoruba nation, the people of Ogun State, all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and the Adesanya family for this irreparable loss.

“Baba Adesanya was a good man who led the struggle to democratise the country,” Oni said.

Fayemi and AC described the death of Adesanya as another great loss not only to the Yoruba race but to the pro-democracy community in the country.

In a statement by Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, Fayemi said Adesanya’s death had denied the Yoruba race of one its most credible leader and a major factor in the fight for the restoration of democracy in the country.

He said it was sad that the late Afenifere leader left when the nation was yet to get out of the woes inflicted on the country by the PDP government.

Former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, said: "Baba Adesanya was one of those political icons who showed purpose and action.

"He brought integrity into all he did. He will be sorely missed, especially at this time when we need men of integrity and purpose in our nation."

Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, described Adesanya's death as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the black race.

He said whenever the nation’s political history would be written; Adesanya’s name would be printed in gold.

He, however, prayed God to bestow the family with such uncommon strength to carry on in the absence of the late sage.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, said Adesanya’s death was a major blow to the pro-democracy clan. He said Adesanya lived and died for justice, equity and fairness.

The National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, said the titans were going one by one.

“I recall that he was a valiant warrior among his people and he stood for what is right. He employed both legal and political struggle to contribute to the good governance of our people,” he said.

Chief Goddy Uwazurike, the Vice president of Aka Ikenga, said Adesanya was a leader in word and deed. "He was dedicated to the Afenifere cause to the end. He refused to be compromised. History will remember him as a great leader," he said.

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Abraham Adesanya, Yoruba leader, dies at 85

By Olayinka Oyebode
Published: Monday, 28 Apr 2008

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The Leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Senator Abraham Adesanya, is dead.

Adesanya passed on at about 12.20pm on Sunday at his 15 Duala Street, Apapa, Lagos residence. He was 85.

His eldest son, Bayo, attributed the death of the renowned lawyer and nationalist to “old age.”

Bayo, who called on the Federal Government to immortalise the politician, said there was no sign that his father would die when he spoke with him early on Sunday.

“Nigeria should immortalise him because he was a dogged fighter. He fought for democracy that the country enjoys at present,‘‘ Bayo said.

He described his father as a national and quintessential leader of the Yoruba.

“My father was a father among fathers who will be missed by his wife and the four children he left behind,‘‘ he told journalists.

Bayo added that Adesanya’s remains had been deposited at the mortuary of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Adesanya was the Deputy Leader of Afenifere, one of the major groups that formed the National Democratic Coalition, the arrowhead of the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, at the time a former governor of Ondo State, the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin was the Afenifere leader.

He had withdrawn from active politics for over four years, as a result of ill health.

Early callers to the Adesanya residence included the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, two of his predecessors, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and a former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba.

Others were Afenifere chieftains, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, Prince Supo Sonibare, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, and Senator Bode Olajumoke.

The widow of the late Adesanya, Aarinola, and his eldest daughter, Mrs. Dupe Adelaja, received the visitors.

Adelaja told journalists that when she saw her father on Saturday, he could not communicate with her.

Adelaja, who took a few minutes off to shed some tears, before going ahead with the interview, however, said that she would miss her father‘s doggedness and sincerity.

In its comment, Afenifere said that the only way to immortalise the late leader was for all Yoruba to close ranks and work for the progress of their nation.

Odumakin, who is the National Publicity Secretary of the group said, ”Pa Adesanya fought for the unity and progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria in general. The only way to immortalise him is to use his death to reconcile all.

Jakande described Adesanya as ”a leader among leaders”.

Tinubu said the death of Adesanya was a loss to the Yoruba.

“He was a great tutor, who taught us courage, patience and aspiration to conquer fear. He was a true leader and father.”

Fashola wrote in the condolence register that he was one of the beneficiaries of the struggle against military rule.

Fashola wrote, ”A true democrat, patriot and nationalist takes a bow. A founding father of modern democracy; we thank you for your courage in years of tyranny. We are the beneficiaries of your struggle. You did not labour in vain.”

Osoba, on his part wrote, ”Papa, you fought a good fight. You conquered. You fought for democracy; you fought dictatorship both in uniform and those in agbada. And victory was yours always.”

An interesting scene at Adesanya‘s residence was the decision by Tinubu and Daniel to embrace each other.

Both Tinubu and Daniel had reportedly being in a cold war over their perceived individual aspiration for the leadership position of the Yoruba. The development had resulted in many verbal attacks by the two politicians and their supporters.

Tinubu, who had commiserated with the family members of Adesanya, was later joined by Daniel, accompanied by Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

He walked into the living room of the late Afenifere leader where he met Tinubu and the two had a long embrace. Tinubu and Adebanjo also embraced each other.

Addressing journalists after the encounter, Daniel described Adesanya as a leader who was many miles ahead of current generation of leaders, adding that it was a thing of regret that ”today‘s leaders lack the qualities of Adesanya.”

Daniel added that Adesanya‘s death would leave a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

Afenifere, in announcing the death of its leader, in a statement by Odumakin said, “The biggest iroko has fallen and the forest is reverberating.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, described Adesanya‘s death as a monumental loss to the Yoruba people.

Bankole, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said that the death of the late politician would rob the country the benefit of his experience at a time the country was making giant strides.

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Adesanya: A life of struggle
By Kayode Ogunbunmi

CHIEF Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya was born on July 24, 1922 in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. His father Pa Ezekiel Adesanya, was a respected herbalist and polygamist, a path, which the young Abraham did not take to, choosing a life of western education and community service instead.

Early in Iife, Adesanya thought of being a cleric. He would however go into teaching, on passing out of the Ijebu-Igbo Grammar School, which he attended between 1942 and 1944. He had made distinctions at the junior and senior Cambridge examinations. After teaching, he wanted to trade, but the anti-colonial movement captured his interest. He decided to study law.

He went to the United Kingdom in 1958, where he studied law at the famous Holborn College of law. Adesanya returned to Nigeria after qualifying and thereafter became active in politics.

He was one of the close aides of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and worked with the late leader in Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Action Group and the Unity Party, on which platform he was elected Senator in the Second Republic and was also Senate Minority Leader.

The apple, however, did not fall too far from the tree. Adesanya was, himself later to take on mythical proportions when he survived a dastardly attack from the killer apparatus of the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha.

On that Tuesday morning, January 14, 1997, Adesanya who was being driven to court in Lagos, was the target of a rain of bullets as his driver was trying to negotiate their way out of the Simpson Street, Lagos office. Several bullets pierced the rear windshield of the Mercedes Benz and passed through the front windscreen. But Adesanya was unhurt. He came down unhurt. So also was his driver, Mr. Shoneye Kehinde.

At a press conference later that day, Adesanya narrated his ordeal thus: "They thought I was dead, but thank God. If I were to suspect, I'll suspect the government, the same government that arrested me and three others and has refused to allow court order on our unconditional release. Since Radio Kudirat International has been announcing that government wants to kill Pa Ajasin and me, government has not come out to deny it. They can kill my body, but they cannot destroy my soul."

Even as he aged, the elderly Adesanya was the acknowledged leader of the Yoruba, with all the connotations that go with it.

According to insiders, Adesanya, whenever he held court in his Ijebu-Igbo home, listened to all sides and took a firm decision at the end. He was also often criticised for being dictatorial or "too rigid". This is a tad unfair, for he had shown by example that he could respect the other side's viewpoint.

In 2001, in a rather controversial decision, Chief Adesanya went to the U.S. to attend the Abdulsalami Abubakar Lecture Series organised by the Chicago State University.

Shocked anti-military demonstrators picketing the venue of the lecture, booed and shouted at him, Afenifere's Secretary, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, who was also in attendance and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba.

In his defence, Adesanya said Abubakar met him after he became Head of State and told him he wanted to hand over power to civilians.

"I did not believe him," Adesanya said. "I had heard that before from previous military rulers at the earlier stage of assumption of power. But this man gave his word and kept to it, he is a gentleman and I respect that. That is why I came."

In an interview on his 80th birthday, Adesanya, said: "I thank God for using me to do what I have been able to do. In life, you don't have to listen all the time, to what people say, because most times, they are distractions. They say we are too rigid. They accused our leader, Chief Awolowo, of being too rigid; that he will never change his mind. But if you ever came close to Chief Awolowo, you will discover that he was one of the greatest democrats we ever had. And now, they say we are rigid.

So we try to hear all sides, yet people still complain. So we ignore them...my wish is that in my lifetime the Yoruba race will never be subjugated because in the history of the Yorubas, it was never conquered. And by the grace of God, that will never happen in my lifetime and it will never happen. Again, it is not the wish of the Yoruba to see others being enslaved or exploited. Hence we often resort to fighting all the exploitations going on against the Niger Delta people. To that we say, 'no', let Nigerians put on their thinking cap because if justice is not done and is not seen to be done, I am afraid, there may be a revolution in this country. But I pray it does not happen because if it does, nobody will be spared.

"And to the Yorubas, I will say, Yoruba ronu; (Yoruba think). Let everyone put on his or her thinking cap. Let them vote for those who love them, those who have been consistent and those who have been fighting their cause because, the party in power, wants to rig the elections; are bent on rigging. I pray, they don't, because if they do, I am afraid, that will be the beginning of crisis and it may well be to your tents oh! Israel".

He also recognised his mortality which he said was approaching without trepidation. It might also lead to a resolution of the intractable leadership crisis within Afenifere.

"I can assure you that whenever it pleases God to call me, my successor will evolve naturally. But by the very grace of God, I will lead the Yorubas to the Canaan land.

"I would say of myself too that by dint of hard work and dedication which was recognised by the Yoruba people, I was made the leader of the Yoruba without any campaign on my part and by the grace of God, we shall overcome."

In his book, My March Through Prison, Chief Obafemi Awolowo praised Adesanya for supplying him with invaluable books in prison, which he was to use in defending Chief Tony Enahoro, then an Action Group activist.

Some government security agents were later found to have been behind both the attacks on Adesanya, and the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

Other forces did not view him in such positive lights. As the Deputy National Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he was a thorn in the flesh of the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha, as he backed the call for the restoration of the mandate of Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

A Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour was told by Barnabas Jabilla (a.k.a. Sergeant Rogers) that the assassination attempt on Adesanya, in 1997, was because he was tagged a terrorist by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Abacha.

Rogers, who was giving evidence during proceedings on the trial of Aminu Mohammed and Lateef Sofolahon on the assassination attempt, said NADECO was similarly tagged a terrorist organisation by Al-Mustapha, thus penciling down its members, including Adesanya, for elimination.

"Abraham Adesanya was one of the terrorists. He was identified as a member of NADECO. We were given assignments involving Alex Ibru, Kudirat Abiola, Segun Osoba and Abraham Adesanya. They were to be assassinated", Rogers said.

Incidentally, Chief Adesanya and other leaders of NADECO, including Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu were arrested by the then military government on suspicion of having a hand in the murder of late Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996.

They were released without charge on October 14, 1996.

The High Court had ordered their release on 16 July 1996 and again on 11 October on the grounds that their detention was illegal.

On September 6, 1996 Archibong Nkana, head of the police Federal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB), said that their investigations into the killing had not made any progress due to lack of public cooperation; on 13 September he was one of three senior officers retired in a restructuring of the police. No independent or impartial investigation has been established into the assassination which, it is feared, may have been the work of government agents, acting with or without the knowledge of the central authorities.

Shortly before the 2003 elections, he was warned that the AD governors were being promised all sorts of incentives by the Presidency to back the Obasanjo government and the PDP. He, however, appeared to have allowed the governors take charge of the politics of the South-West and could not check them, as some wished.

The ensuing rift is still debilitating the Afenifere. After his illness, he appointed Chief Rueben Fasoranti, as Acting Leader of the organisation. This appointment was however resisted by a faction of Afenifere, including Chief Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba, which lined up Senator Ayo Fasanmi. Pa Abraham Adesanya will definitely be missed by all.

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Nigerians mourn Adesanya
By Kayode Ogunbunmi (Lagos), Charles Coffie-Gyamfi (Abeokuta) and Niyi Bello (Akure)

GLOWING tributes began pouring yesterday on elder statesman, Chief Abraham Adesanya, who passed on at the weekend. Prominent among citizens and leaders who reacted to Adesanya's demise yesterday were Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, his Ondo State counterpart, Olusegun Agagu, Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola, the Acting Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba. They described the late leader as a steadfast and rare politician, saying his death was "a monumental loss."

Fielding questions from journalists after visiting the widow and members of Adesanya's family, Fashola said he would be solely missed by all but thank God that he had left a very worthy legancy for others to follow.

In the condolence register, Fashola wrote: "A fine nationalist, patriot and democrats takes a bow. A founding father, ebullient senator, father of our nation's democracy, we thank you for your courage in the face of tyranny. We are the beneficiaries of your struggles. You have not laboured in vain. We shall deliver the Nigeria of your dreams and other founding fathers. We will keep the faith. Rest in peace."

Osoba, who said he rushed to the deceased's house in Apapa, Lagos, immediately he heard the sad news, disclosed that arrangement had been made to take the body to the morgue.

Fasoranti told The Guardian that the death of the elder statesman was a huge loss to the nation and the Yoruba race in particular.

According to him: "Papa Adesanya was a foremost nationalist, a committed and true Awoist. He upheld what the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood for till the very end. I recall that he had to shuttle between Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) to secure the services of a lawyer for Awolowo's release when he (Awolowo) was in detention in the 1960s."

He also recalled the exploit of Adesanya during the struggle for the actualisation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola.

Fasoranti described the late National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain as a man who possessed great leadership qualities, and that his death would be felt by the Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political organization, which he led for many years.

Daniel, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Wale Adedayo, said in the face of personal deprivation and threat to his life, Adesanya led the Yoruba "through one of its most trying periods in modern times.

"There is no doubt that Ogun State, the Yoruba nation, Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost another illustrious son in the person of Papa Abraham Adesanya, a former distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, leader of Afenifere and by extension a foremost Yoruba leader of no mean reputation," he said.

"The height of that titanic struggle to actualise the illegally annulled mandate of the late Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola, Papa Adesanya stood firm. Ogun State people feel proud that once again an illustrious son of the state did not disappoint. As we mourn the passing away of one of these last of the titans, we ask God to support the family and give them the fortitude to bear the loss," he said.

Osoba explained that Adesanya died shortly after having breakfast yesterday. "When I was informed I reported there immediately. The body has been moved to the morgue.

"In his life time, he fought military dictatorship and those in civilian toga to a standstill. My joy is that he died peacefully and I thank God for that."

Agagu, who spoke through Yemi Olowolabi, his Chief Press Secretary, said: "Pa Adesanya's death is a monumental loss to Nigeria and to Yoruba race. He stood at the forefront for the emancipation of the people from dictators. He was a principled and disciplined man. He lived a fulfilled life by all standards."

According to him, the democracy Nigeria now enjoys came through the dogged struggle of Adesanya and others who stood against the military junta. "We are surely going to miss him. However, he left behind competent people who will take over from him," Agagu said.

The Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, said if the late Adesanya had been well, the crisis in the AD would have been resolved.

"As AD chairman, I miss him. If Pa Adesanya had been well at the time the AD needed him, the experience we had during the last general elections would not have happened. He would not have allowed the proliferation of the AD as we had towards the last elections. All the AD members mourn him, Afenifere and all Nigerians have lost a great and highly valued treasure."

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@ Uncletisha

The man na ya family????????

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=pappilo;4295010922>@ Uncletisha

The man na ya family????????

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Make you lef me hand o...

En-hen, lef me hand o.

I just dey do public service {Gwobe Style}

:wink::D

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Eerin Wo. AAA's gone. That was one mighty man of valour. May his soul rest in peace. Sun reee ooo.

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May his soul rest in perfect peace!!!

I hope that Mercedes Benz 230E riddled by Sgt Rogers AK47 bullets would still be kept as a memorial after his burial?

How that old Man survived the assassins that fateful morning is still a mystery to me!! Na God!!

Unconfirmed reports had it that he instructed the Driver not to Panic and/or look back.

Sgt Rogers stated in court that he actaully pumped about 2 rounds of hot lead into the side panel/back windshield of the car. In his own words "That Baba dey use Juju"

Almost all the Afenifere leaders don die finish!!

May God preserve the remaining elders, Amen.