Kudos to South-west Governors

Chief Ayo Adebanjo has passed to the eternal side of life. And while eulogies are abounding and causing teary eyes, the man’s influence remains strong and peculiar, especially in the grand unification of South-west governors who have joined together in mourning this man, this lifelong advocate for democracy and Yoruba interests, who dedicated his life to justice and equity.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of the South-west Governors Forum, assured Nigerians everywhere that Adebanjo would receive a befitting burial. According to him, this is to show the South-west’s collective respect for a man who spent his life defending the principles of good governance, federalism, and Yoruba unity.

Adebanjo lived an extraordinary life. Everyone agrees that he embodied the spirit of an uncompromising leader all the way right from his early involvement in the nationalist struggle to his unwavering stance on restructuring Nigeria. He never abandoned his ideals, not even when faced with exile, imprisonment, and political isolation. So, with his passing, the conversation about leadership and principles in Nigerian politics is revived.

Unlike many who shifted alliances for convenience, Adebanjo remained steadfast in his beliefs. His criticism of political figures who deviated from Awoist principles often put him at odds with mainstream politicians, yet he remained resolute. The show of unity by the South-west governors now is a rare moment of consensus in a region often divided by political ambition.

It is true that the Yoruba people value loyalty. Adebanjo exemplified this trait throughout his life, especially his loyalty to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s ideology which shaped his political journey and influenced generations of Yoruba leaders. His funeral is not just about mourning but about celebrating a man who, even in his final years, continued to demand justice, democracy, and regional autonomy.

A Yoruba proverb states, “A river that forgets its source will dry up.” The decision of South-west governors to honour Adebanjo is a recognition that the political stability of the region owes much to his sacrifices. His voice may be silent, but his legacy remains alive in the policies and values that continue to shape Yoruba politics.