Nigeria and the Concurrent Collapse of Consumate Colosuses

By Bala Ibrahim

On Friday, February 14, 2025, Nigeria was greeted by the short but sad news of the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, at his home in Lekki, Lagos. The message simply said, “Ayo Adebanjo, a leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, is dead. He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria home at the age of 96”. Until his death, Mr Adebanjo headed a faction of Afenifere and was an outspoken critic of President Bola Tinubu. Mr Adebanjo’s faction of Afenifere supported Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election. President Tinubu’s condolence message reads,

“I received the news of the passing of one of the Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, with profound sorrow. Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history. All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for. His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed. As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse”-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

That was the position of the President on the demise of a colossus, that came from Nigeria’s ethnic majority, the Yoruba.

On Monday 17th February, 2025, Nigeria was again greeted by another sad news, this time around, from the country’s ethnic minority, the Ijaw. The news broke out thus, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on Monday 17th February, 2025. The family appreciates your prayers at this time.” Edwin Clark died at the age of 97. Again, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said, late Clark stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice.

“Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues were distinct and patriotic. As an astute politician, Clark’s political opponents never doubted his words’ weight, confidence, and conviction when he spoke. History will remember him as a man who fought gallantly for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, unity in diversity, and true federalism. I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability.”-PBAT.

For Nigeria, the demise of the two is a colossal loss of consummate colossuses, that were revered as those who stood for justice, fair play and equity. In my days as a reporter, I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing the two on many occasions. And almost always, talking to them was an exceptional delight, particularly where the topic of discussion has bearings with nationalism. Chief Ayo Adebanjo, whom the Secretary-general of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Chief Ayo Opadokun, used to describe as a man who was refusing to age, looking always like a boxer, was a fearless freedom fighter and patriot. In the fight for justice, chief Adebanjo was a formidable force and fearless, especially on equity and the struggle for the establishment of an egalitarian society.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has this to say about the man,

“I can vividly recall the heroic role that Pa Adebanjo played in wresting power from the military and enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria. He was at the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship. It is on record that Pa Adebanjo spent his entire youthful days fighting against colonial rule; spent his middle age to fight against military dictatorship and his latter days to ensure that good governance, rule of law and democracy took firm roots in Nigeria. I wish to state without equivocation that Pa Adebanjo was a golden example of how to live and die for the good of the country. Apart from mentoring many generations of civil rights activists across different generations, Pa Adebanjo was an activist extraordinaire and bridge builder who led the battle against injustice and oppression from the trenches”

The two political giants died almost the same time at almost the same age. They were towering figures in Nigerian politics and staunch advocates for the Yoruba and Ijaw people, depending on circumstances. But were almost united always, when the issue at hand has bearings with national unity. Their lives spanned decades of political influence, national service, and philanthropy.

May God give Nigeria the fortitude to bear the concurrent collapse of these consummate colossuses, ameen.