Pa Abraham Adesanya, Afenifere leader passes on, at 85
Lagos - Frontline Octogenarian, Nationalist and Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Egbe Afenifere, Pa Abraham Adesanya, died yesterday peacefully at an old age of 85, around 12:30 pm in his Apapa, Lagos residence after having his breakfast.
Before his death, Adesanya had withdrawn from public functions for about four years now as a result of illness associated with old age. Sources said the late Afenifere leader did not betray any sign that his death was due, as he woke up yesterday as he was said to be fine and even cracked jokes with family members.
The nurse who attended to him, Mrs Christianah Oluwagbemi, who gave an account of his last moment, said he was having his meal of custard and milk around 12.20 pm and suddenly, he returned the meal to her, and when she asked him what was wrong, he never gave any reply.
“When I gave him the food, he returned it to me. I asked are you not interested in the meal? He gave no reply. I shook his body, when I looked at his eye balls they had changed. I wanted to take his pulse but his arm just dropped.”
As news of his death broke, political associates and friends converged on his residence to condole with his family.
Chief Adesanya’s daughter, Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, said he would be remembered for his contribution to democracy.
The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) who broke down in tears on arriving her father’s residence in Apapa, said he stood on the side of the masses, even when it was not convenient.
“It is left to the people on how best they want to immortalise him,” she said, adding: “He will be remembered for his dogged and self-less service to the people.” Adelaja said her father had been ill for about four years.
While formally announcing the death of Adesanya, Afenifere, in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said the Second Republic Senator died peacefully at 85 in his Lagos residence. According to the release, “Leader of Afenifere and NADECO and Second Republic Senator, Chief Abraham Adesanya is dead. The biggest Iroko has fallen. Adesanya served the Yoruba nation and Nigeria with loyalty, courage, steadfastness and commitment. A man of integrity, character and uncommon devotion to serving humanity, his death is a blow to the Yoruba nation.”
Dignitaries, eminent Nigerians, and political associates and children have started paying respect and condolences to the fallen political giant. One of the early callers were former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State, his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, Chief Supo Shonibare, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olawale Oshin, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, and Odumakin. Others were former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; General Oladipo Diya; Mr. Oba Otudeko, Commodore Ebitu Nkiwe (retired), Senator David Dafinone, Chief Jubril Martins Kuye, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Ajanaku and Chief Tunde Onakoya.
Other Nigerians who sent condolence messages were, the leader of Pro National Conference Organizations (PRONACO), Chief Anthony Enahoro, who described the late NADECO chieftain as the hero of the current democracy in Nigeria. Enahoro said the death of Adesanya, who was the “numero uno of NADECO, Nigeria during the darkest period of the military junta of Sani Abacha, is an irreplaceable minus to the Nigerian progressive movement. “As one of the pillars of the Nigerian political movement, he will be significantly missed in the current effort of PRONACO to reform the decadent Nigerian polity. Chief Abraham Adesanya will be immortalised by PRONACO for his outstanding contributions to the progressive movement in a special way to create a model for future generations of progressives.”
Also, Yeye Oodua and Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Chief (Dr.) Mrs. HID Awolowo, has condoled with the Adesanya family over the death of Pa Abraham Adesanya. In a condolence letter sent to the Apapa residence of the Adesanyas, HID described Pa Adesanya as a quintessential leader and consistent voice in the pursuit of democracy.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo described Baba Adesanya as the link between the pre-independence and post-independence era of our nation particularly in the South-West. His place will be difficult to fill and he will be sorely missed. Former Senate President Ken Nnamani said of Baba Adesanya “Baba was one of those political icons who showed purpose and action. He brought integrity into all he did. He will be sorely missed, especially at this time when we need men of integrity and purpose in our nation”.
Former World Court Judge and Attorney-General of the Federation said that it was a pity that the “strong politician and great fighter” had to die at this time, Prince Bola Ajibola, expressed shock at the death of Adesanya.
Pa Adesanya who was a distinguished lawyer, member of the defunct Western Region House of Assembly, a Senator in the Second Republic, and a native of Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State. Baba was born on July 24, 1922 and and is survived by his wife (Rosaline) and four children.
He attended St. John’s Anglican School, Oke-Agbo from 1933 to 1935; Ojowo United Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo 1936-38; Methodist School, Osogbo 1939 and Ijebu-Igbo Grammar School 1941-1944. In 1958, Adesanya enrolled in Holborn College of Law, London, graduated in 1960, and was called to the English Bar in 1961.
Adesanya was Afenifere Leader and Deputy-Chairman, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) until his death. He was also member of the team of lawyers that defended late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the election tribunal in 1979.
A prominent member of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Alliance for Democracy, Late Pa Adesanya survived an assassination attempt in 1996.
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