PRESS RELEASE: The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, announces with profound sorrow the passing of Pa Ayodele Samuel Adebanjo, a visionary leader and champion of unity and justice.

In a press statement send to OHAFIATV, the Deputy President General, Mazi Okdechukwi Isiguzoro disribdd him as an and advocate of fairness, equity and unity.

We convey our deepest condolences to the family of Pa Adebanjo, the leadership of Afenifere, the Oduduwa Nation, and the Governors of the Southwest. His demise is a profound national loss that resonates deeply across Nigeria.

Pa Adebanjo’s unwavering dedication to interethnic harmony and unity among Nigeria’s diverse groups is exemplary. As a leader of Afenifere and a member of the Middle Belt-Southern Nigerian Forum, he fostered collaboration across ethnic lines, promoting a vision for a more integrated and equitable Nigeria.

His legacy is particularly significant for the Igbo people, who will forever remember him as a progressive Yoruba elder statesman who courageously stood for fairness and justice. His support for the presidential candidacy of Mr. Peter Obi during the 2023 elections demonstrates his commitment to uplifting the aspirations of the Igbo Nation.

In recognition of his selfless services, we call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governors of the Southeast to honor Pa Adebanjo’s legacy by renaming public institutions in his honor. We also request that Dr. Alex Otti, a Governor aligned with the Labour Party, rename an institution of higher education or a significant roadway in his name.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo will actively participate in all funeral rites for Pa Adebanjo, extending our solidarity with our Yoruba brothers and sisters during this period of mourning.

May the Almighty God grant Pa Adebanjo eternal peace and forgiveness for any of his shortcomings, as he joins the ancestors who have carefully charted the path for our collective future.