Gani Adams mourns Fasoranti, says Afenifere leader stood for integrity
- Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams has mourned Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who died on Tuesday at 100.
- Adams said Fasoranti stood for integrity, discipline and selfless service to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
- He said the elder statesman championed true federalism and kept alive Chief Obafemi Awolowo's progressive ideals.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has paid tribute to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the pan-Yoruba group Afenifere, who died on Tuesday at the age of 100.
Adams said the death marked the end of an era in Yoruba leadership and in Nigeria's political history. He described Fasoranti as a symbol of integrity, discipline and selfless service to the Yoruba people and to Nigeria as a whole.
"We have lost a leader whose wisdom and principled stance on issues of justice, true federalism and good governance had been a guiding light for generations," Adams said in his tribute.
A life of advocacy
According to Adams, Fasoranti's work stretched across many areas. As Afenifere leader, he pushed for Yoruba unity and cultural pride while also arguing for the protection of Yoruba interests within Nigeria.
Adams said Fasoranti was a firm believer in true federalism, the idea that Nigeria's unity can only hold if power and resources are shared fairly and the regions keep real control over their own affairs.
He also credited the late leader with keeping alive the progressive vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which put weight on education, social justice and economic development.
Adams said Fasoranti's commitment to democratic values and justice won him respect well beyond Yorubaland, among Nigeria's many ethnic groups.
He described Fasoranti's style of leadership as inclusive and conciliatory, saying the elder statesman always favoured dialogue and the peaceful settling of disputes. That approach, Adams said, helped keep the peace in Yorubaland and Nigeria during difficult periods.
He prayed for the repose of Fasoranti's soul and said his legacy would live on through the many people he touched and the principles he stood for.
What happens next
The sources did not say what burial arrangements have been made or who will take over the leadership of Afenifere. Fasoranti's death closes a long chapter in Yoruba and national politics, and attention will now turn to how the group and the wider South-West respond in the coming days.
