By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

Chief Bode George, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, and Mr Akin Osuntokun were among the early mourners at the Lagos residence of the late Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away on Friday.

The leaders, in separate interviews, spoke to newsmen during their condolence visits to Adebanjo’s Lekki home. They all described the late leader as principled to the end.

Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described Adebanjo as a principled leader who will be missed.

“It is his contributions to our nation that will remain in our memories. He ran his race and finished well,” George said.

“Baba Adebanjo was deeply concerned about our nation’s state. His death reminds us that one day, we will also pass. Nothing is permanent,” he added.

George also recalled that Adebanjo, a member of the 2014 Constitutional Conference, constantly urged Nigerian leaders to revisit the conference’s decisions and recommendations.

He noted that Adebanjo, as a First Republic politician, saw the nation’s drift. “We won’t let that die. We’ll continue the battle for justice, fairness, and equity,” George said.

He added, “I’ll miss him for his principles. His advice was invaluable.”

Sen. Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun governor, called Adebanjo’s death the end of an era. “We’ve lost our father. The Yoruba nation has lost a titan,” Daniel said.

“Nigeria has lost its voice of reason. Things will never be the same. At 96, we thank God he lived a good life,” he added.

Daniel described Adebanjo as an icon of hope and pride for the Yoruba nation. He highlighted lessons of honesty, bravery, and standing for one’s beliefs.

Mr Akin Osuntokun, Director-General of the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, said Adebanjo’s passing left a vacuum difficult to fill.

Osuntokun said, “He was a warrior for any cause he believed in. He never held back when convinced of a position.

“He gave us ample notice. While we mourn him, this is also a celebration of his life,” Osuntokun added.

He urged others to rise to the challenge of filling the void left by Adebanjo and emulate his life of sacrifice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adebanjo, a chieftain of the Pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, died on Friday in Lagos, aged 96.

Since the news of his death broke, Afenifere leaders, family, and friends have gathered at his Lagos residence to mourn him. (NAN)