President Bola Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, have paid tribute to the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti, who died on Tuesday.
In separate statements, they described Fasoranti’s death as a great “loss”.
“I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, our father, patriarch, elder statesman, and foremost Afenifere leader, who died at the glorious age of 100,” Tinubu wrote in a statement he issued personally.
Describing him as “an icon, a beacon of principle, and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family,” the president said Fasoranti’s life “was a lesson in integrity, discipline, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
Tinubu said the elder statesman made “immense contributions to this country and, at the risk of his life, fought for the democracy we enjoy today”.
“Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself in every respect: in his disciplined, Spartan way of life, his belief in principles, and his commitment to noble causes. Our nation will sorely miss his voice of wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel, especially now, when we need his guidance most,” the president said.
“I recall Baba’s centenary on May 11 this year, when we celebrated not just longevity, but a legacy of honour. He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
“I also recall his prayers and counsel when I came to his residence in Akure in 2022 to inform him of my decision to contest the presidency. Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer. I had hoped Papa would also be around with us for my second term to witness the full dawn of economic growth and prosperity in the land.”
He commiserated with the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State and South-West Nigeria, and the entire Afenifere family.
‘Dimming of a light’
For Makinde, the Leader of Afenifere, was a towering conscience of the Yoruba nation whose century-long life radiated wisdom, courage, and unwavering moral clarity.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, the Governor said Fasoranti’s death is a monumental loss to the Yoruba people.
“I received with deep sorrow the news of Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s passing. For many decades, Pa Fasoranti stood at the intersection of conscience and public duty, shaping the moral architecture of our politics and offering guidance that transcended generations. His transition is a historic loss for our people,” he said.
“His passing is not just the departure of an elder statesman; it is the dimming of a light that guided our people through decades of political turbulence, cultural evolution, and national transformation. Pa Fasoranti spent many of his 100 years shaping minds, strengthening institutions, and reminding us of the values that define us as Yoruba. We will greatly miss him and his insights.”
While extending his heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State, and the entire Yoruba race, Governor Makinde noted that “the pain of this loss reverberates across Yorubaland, for Pa Fasoranti belonged to all of us. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba cause enriched every corner of our region.”
He added: “As we mourn, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose. Pa Fasoranti’s century on earth was not spent in pursuit of personal gain but in service to community, culture, and country. His leadership was marked by clarity of thought, courage of conviction, and an unshakeable belief in the power of unity. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire leaders, scholars, and citizens for generations to come.”
‘Monumental Loss’
Meanwhile, Abiodun, who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Fasoranti, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
Abiodun commiserated with Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other prominent Yoruba leaders, as well as the family and associates of the late Afenifere leader.
The governor noted that Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, lived a remarkable life defined by service, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the Nigerian nation.
He described the late elder statesman as one of the enduring voices in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, whose courage, convictions and sacrifices helped shape the country’s political development.
Abiodun said Fasoranti’s role in the struggle for democracy, particularly during the years of military rule, earned him a place among the foremost defenders of democratic governance and constitutional rule in Nigeria.
The governor noted that the deceased remained steadfast in his advocacy for justice, equity, good governance and restructuring, adding that his principled interventions in national affairs reflected a deep commitment to building a united and prosperous Nigeria.
He described Fasoranti as one of the last surviving links to a generation of nationalist-minded leaders who confronted authoritarian rule and championed democratic freedoms, stressing that his death had created a significant void in the Yoruba socio-political landscape.
Abiodun said the late Afenifere leader’s legacy would endure through the values he upheld, the causes he championed and the generations of Nigerians inspired by his commitment to democracy and national development.
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