President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday mourned Reuben Fasoranti, the centenarian leader of Nigeria’s pan-Yoruba Afenifere movement, recalling that the elder statesman had predicted in 2022 that he would become president.
Fasoranti died at 100, according to announcements by Ondo State officials and his family.
In a condolence statement, President Tinubu said he visited Fasoranti at his Akure residence in 2022 to inform him of his intention to seek the presidency.
He said the Afenifere leader told him he would become President in Fasoranti’s lifetime.
“I recall his prayers and counsel when I came to his residence in Akure in 2022 to inform him of my decision to contest the presidency,” Tinubu said.
“Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer.”
The President described Fasoranti as an icon of principle and one of the last major figures in the progressive political tradition associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the influential former premier of Nigeria’s Western Region.
Tinubu called Fasoranti’s death a major loss for Nigeria, saying the country would miss his wisdom, moral authority and counsel at a time when such guidance was needed.
He extended condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure, the Ondo State Government, the South-West and Afenifere.
He portrayed the late leader’s life as an example of integrity, discipline, selflessness and commitment to the Yoruba people, Nigerian unity and national progress.
NewsQuest reports that Fasoranti was an educationist and former school principal who served as finance commissioner in the old Western Region before becoming leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political organisation long associated with progressive politics and federalism.
President Tinubu said Fasoranti remained committed to true federalism and social justice, and contributed to Nigeria’s democracy struggle even at personal risk.
“Baba made immense contributions to this country and, at the risk of his life, fought for the democracy we enjoy today,” Tinubu said.
The President said he had marked Fasoranti’s 100th birthday on May 11 and had hoped the elder statesman would live to see a second Tinubu term and the expected benefits of economic growth.
He prayed for the repose of Fasoranti’s soul and for comfort for his family and other mourners.
