By Palladium
Factional leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo has died aged 96. He lived exceedingly well and long by any global standard. Apart from his successful legal and political careers, he was also a principled and dogged fighter for popular and progressive causes. However, in his twilight years, he became more controversial than his age and ebbing strength should permit, while his summations, particularly on politics, also became more brittle than expected of so experienced and avid a politician.
He was a stand-in Afenifere leader, but after running into needless controversies that rankled with the group, the substantive but tiring Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, 98, tried to retake the reins of leadership. Chief Adebanjo resisted, leaving Afenifere factionalised till he died. That should be one of his regrets. Though age did not temper his fighting spirit, it enfeebled his body, and sadly also rendered his judgement less perspicuous. He should have done everything to heal the divisions in the group, particularly by reaching accommodation with his compatriots, so that his departure, which he knew was imminent, could stimulate fond and lingering memories of him. He probably has his reasons.
It has, however, become the lot of Afenifere that its successive leaders over the years have attracted some disquiet than exuded lustre, perhaps because of Nigeria’s worsening political complexities and the dominance of self-willed national leaders who exploit national cleavages for private goals. It would be tragic if Chief Adebanjo’s faction let the divisions ossify.
