President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have mourned the death of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who died in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday at the age of 100.
The deceased’s son and Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said his father died peacefully in his sleep at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
He described him as a man of few words and great wisdom, adding that the family would sustain the Reuben Fasoranti Foundation, established ten years ago.
In his condolence message, President Tinubu described Fasoranti as a father, elder statesman and one of the foremost figures in the progressive political tradition associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Tinubu recalled that Fasoranti had predicted in 2022 that he would become President during his lifetime, noting that the late Afenifere leader remained committed to true federalism, social justice and national development.
The President also commended his contributions to the struggle against military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Fasoranti as one of the last great figures of a generation whose public service was defined by integrity, sacrifice and commitment to national progress.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said Fasoranti provided unifying leadership for Afenifere during a period of internal divisions and national uncertainty.
He recalled the late elder statesman’s courage in opposing military dictatorship and his consistent advocacy for true federalism, justice and equity.
Obasanjo added that despite occasional political differences, their mutual respect endured, describing Fasoranti as a man whose wisdom, dignity and dedication to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria would be remembered for generations.
