allAfrica.com: Nigeria: In Death - Adesanya Assembles Rival Yorubas (Page 1 of 1)

Charles Ajunwa who has been monitoring events at the Apapa residence of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya, who died recently at the age of 85, writes on his greatness even in death

The death of the Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya has stirred a new national consciousness since it was made public. The Yoruba leader was no doubt a man of many parts. He has variously been described by many qualities.

While some acknowledged him as a nationalist, statesman, principled leader, a man with strength of character, a reputable lawyer, a detribalised Nigerian and a fighter for democracy, others described him as an activist, honest and a good family man, a humanist, a devout Christian and an activist par excellence.

All commentators acknowledged one fact about the late leader. This fact is that, Adesanya's death on April 27, 2008 was a colossal loss to Nigeria. Encomiums from different parts of the country have continued to pour on hand for the late politician. Dignitaries of different status have continued to throng the residence of the Afenifere leader. Notable among them are Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former military president, Gen. Ibraham Badamosi Babangida, former head of state, Gen. Adulsalami Abubakar and former head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Others are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, innumerable number of serving and past governors, ministers, politicians, students, clergy men, traditional rulers among many others.

Politically, Adesanya represented many things to different people. He was an Awoist in the class of the progressives in the country who believed that politics should be people centred. He was an arrow head in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a pro-democracy platform through which all forms of military dictatorships in the country were fought to a stand still.

Reflecting on the life and times of Adesanya, the National Secretary of Afenifere, Senator Femi Okorounmu, recalled with a sense of nolstagia the activism life of Adesanya. He described him as an Awoist who would never surrender leadership to any forces. "He was a life-long committed Awoist. He surrendered his life to the struggle against Abacha's military dictatorship and the revalidation of the annulled June 12, 1993 election. By that struggle, he restored the pride and honour of the Yoruba and gave a new hope to all Nigerians that anyone should have the right to the highest office in the land," he said.

In his own comment, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd), who was vice chairman of NADECO when Adesanya held sway as the leader, said his death was a great loss to Nigeria adding that his honesty and integrity would be greatly missed. He also stated that Adesanya would mostly be remembered as "a man of integrity, a man who fought for the liberty of Nigeria as a whole," adding that "he was not a tribal leader. He was a man who believed in one Nigeria. He was a patriot and nationalist of the first order."

In the same vein, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah advised all and sundry who make great comments about Adesanya to use the vacuum created by his death to learn a lot of lessons from his life and politics. He insisted that he had learnt a lot from his exemplary life.

"What I learnt from Pa Adesanya was, even though he was Yoruba and a leader, he made the Yoruba to understand that they could lead the country if they are nationals in their outlook and the way they do things. For me, he was not just a Yoruba leader, he was a national leader, "he said.

Also, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who led a delegation of members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) to commiserate with Adesanya's family, described him as a leader who played his part well while he was on stage, through a resolute struggle for the unity of the country. He enjoined younger generations to emulate his foot steps.

According to him, Adesanya was a respected leader of incomparable status, whose wisdom and genial leadership quality would be greatly missed, especially by those who are young. "Those of us who are following should act our parts well, so that this country will move forward in peace, unity and in the fear of God; so that our leaders will deliver and serve very well as he preached when he was alive," Ogbulafor said.

In his own comment, National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojishola Akinfenwa, said he lived a simple and honest life. Pointing at Adesanya's house, he said: "Look at Pa Adesanya's house. Modern day politicians would have turned it into a palace or mansion, but he didn't. He lived a simple and honest life. That is the reason we loved him."

One notable issue stirred by the death of Adesanya is the unity of all factions of Afenifere. Okurounmu declared during the announcement of Adesanya's burial progrmme that the days of crisis in Afenifere are over.

"All of you would have noticed from all of us seated here that the composition of this burial committee draws representatives from all the six (South-west) states, including the factions of Afenifere. The family and all stakeholders have resolved to make this funeral an opportunity to re-unite all factions in Yoruba land and bring about unity because that is the only thing we think we can do to make our leader happy. So, from today, by God's grace this funeral marks the beginning of a new united Afenifere and Yoruba land," Okoroumu said.

Also lending his voice to the comment of Okurounmu, Revd. Tunji Adebiyi who represented the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said that the programme for Adesanya's burial was a product of many consultations and meetings.

"As you recall, Pa Adesanya represented not only the leader of Afenifere or the leader of the Yoruba. He was also the leader of NADECO and a prominent leader of the Committee for Unity and Understanding (CUU), which comprised leaders from the South-west, South-east, South-south and the Middle Belt. And it is this committee that joined the June 12 struggle before translating into a platform called NADECO.

"Some of you even recall that Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd.) from Adamawa has just left this place. He was vice chairman to papa during the days of NADECO. So, this type of programme that we are embarking upon, is going to bring together not only the leaders in Yoruba land, but all the leaders nationwide. And we believe that at the end of the programme, we shall have cause to thank the Almighty God," Adebiyi said.

Former governor of Ogun State Aremo Olusegun Osoba captured Adesanya's life this way: "He fought a good fight for democracy. He faced dictatorship both in uniforms and those in Agbada and victory was his always."

Although Adesanya had left the stage, yet he stands tall in death. Analysts believe that his death has united the Yoruba in particular and Nigerians generally. They also argued that his life was worthy of emulation by young politicians who serve only their individual interest instead of collective interest.

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