Fasoranti dies at 100: Tinubu, Awolowo family pay tribute to Afenifere leader

Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, has died at 100. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the death in a statement he issued himself in Akure on Tuesday.

Word of his passing drew tributes from the top of government and from the family of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the political tradition Fasoranti belonged to for most of his long life.

President Bola Tinubu, in a condolence message he released personally, called Fasoranti a man whose century was marked by honesty, self-control and service. He described him as one of the last of the big figures from Awolowo's progressive camp.

Tinubu traced the late leader's career through the classroom, where he served as a teacher and principal, to his time as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State, and then to the helm of Afenifere. He said Fasoranti pushed for true federalism and a fairer Nigeria, and put his own safety at risk in the fight for democracy.

The President also recalled visiting Fasoranti's Akure home in 2022 to tell him he would run for president, and said the old man told him then that he would become President in his lifetime. Tinubu said he had hoped Fasoranti would still be around to see a second term and the results of his economic plans.

Awolowo family: an era has ended

Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, who heads the Awolowo family and chairs African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, said Fasoranti's death closes a chapter in the political history of the Yoruba nation and of Nigeria.

She said he was the last of the titans of the Awolowo political tradition, a generation whose beliefs rested on principle rather than convenience. According to her, neither time nor the shifting fortunes of Nigerian politics weakened his commitment to justice, equity and progressive governance.

Awolowo Dosumu noted that as an Afenifere leader, Fasoranti carried the memory of the group's founding vision, and that his counsel and moral weight will be hard to replace. She sent condolences to his family and to Afenifere's leadership and members.

Tinubu said he had joined the celebration of Fasoranti's 100th birthday on May 11, 2026, describing it as a celebration of a legacy of honour as well as long life.

In his tribute, the President said the country will miss Fasoranti's wisdom and counsel at a time when that guidance is needed.