Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has mourned the death of elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
Abiodun extended his condolences to Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, other Yoruba leaders, and the deceased’s family and associates.
The governor noted that Fasoranti, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, lived a remarkable life marked by service, patriotism and commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and Nigeria.
He described the late elder statesman as one of the enduring voices in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, saying his courage, convictions and sacrifices contributed to the country’s political development.
According to Abiodun, Fasoranti played a significant role in the fight for democratic governance, particularly during the years of military rule, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates of constitutional democracy.
He added that the deceased remained committed to justice, equity, good governance and restructuring, noting that his interventions in national affairs reflected his desire for a united and prosperous country.
Abiodun described Fasoranti as one of the last surviving links to a generation of nationalist-minded leaders who challenged authoritarian rule and defended democratic freedoms.
He said the elder statesman’s death had left a significant void in the Yoruba socio-political landscape, but expressed confidence that his legacy would endure through the values he upheld, the causes he championed and the Nigerians he inspired.
The governor urged Afenifere, the people of Ondo State, the wider Yoruba nation and Fasoranti’s family to draw comfort from the remarkable life he lived and his contributions to society.
He also prayed that God would grant the late elder statesman eternal rest and give his family, associates and the Yoruba nation the strength to bear the loss.
