…Joins Olu Falae-Led Eight-State Delegation on Condolence Visit to Family in Akure
The Ogun State Chapter of Afenifere has declared that the political ideals, courage and principled leadership of its late patriarch, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, will remain a defining compass for the Yoruba nation as it navigates the emerging political realities and critical choices ahead.
The chapter made the declaration on Tuesday when its leadership joined a high-powered Afenifere delegation, led by elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Oba Olu Falae, on a condolence visit to the Fasoranti family in Akure, Ondo State.
The national leadership of the foremost pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation had constituted the delegation, comprising representatives from eight states, to formally commiserate with the family and honour the memory of a statesman whose decades of service helped shape Afenifere’s political direction and the wider struggle for the advancement of the Yoruba people.
In a statement issued after the visit, the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere in Ogun State, Alhaji (Comrade) Akeem Temitope Akilo, disclosed that the state was represented by a 10-member delegation led by the Ogun State Chairman, Giwa (Comrade) Dr Niyi Osoba, Ph.D., JP.
According to Akilo, the condolence visit transcended mourning, describing it as a powerful moment of reflection on the future of Yoruba political leadership and the responsibility of the present generation to protect the values for which Pa Fasoranti stood.
“Pa Fasoranti was not merely a leader of Afenifere; he was a moral compass, a stabilising force and an uncompromising defender of progressive ideals. His life represented politics anchored on principle, integrity, courage and an unshaken commitment to the collective interest of the Yoruba people,” Akilo stated.
He stressed that the greatest tribute Afenifere could pay the late patriarch was to ensure that the organisation remained formidable, united and strategically relevant in national political discourse.
“At a defining period in the political evolution of Nigeria, Afenifere cannot afford to retreat into silence or surrender its historic responsibility. The Yoruba nation must continue to have a strong, courageous and intellectually grounded voice on matters affecting our people and the future of the Nigerian federation.”
The Ogun Afenifere Chairman, Giwa (Comrade) Dr Niyi Osoba, also described Fasoranti’s passing as the departure of an exceptional bridge-builder whose wisdom and political maturity provided stability for Afenifere through challenging periods.
“Baba Fasoranti belonged to that distinguished generation of Yoruba leaders who understood that leadership is fundamentally about sacrifice, service and defending the collective interest of the people. His name occupies an enduring place in the political history of Yorubaland,” Osoba said.
He added that the responsibility now rested on the succeeding generation to sustain the ideals of unity, good governance, justice, equity and progressive political engagement that defined the struggles of Afenifere’s founding fathers and successive leaders.
The Ogun delegation joined Afenifere leaders and representatives from the other states in commiserating with the Fasoranti family and celebrating the life of a patriarch whose influence extended beyond partisan politics.
The chapter maintained that while Pa Fasoranti’s death marked the end of a remarkable chapter, his political philosophy and commitment to the dignity, unity and advancement of the Yoruba people must not be allowed to disappear with his generation.
“History will remember Baba not simply for the positions he occupied, but for the principles he defended. For us in Ogun Afenifere, those principles remain alive, and we are determined to keep the flame burning,” Akilo declared.
