LAGOS, Nigeria — Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, is alive and well, contrary to circulating rumours of his death.
These rumours emerged in the early hours of Sunday, May 26, 2024, causing concern among followers and the Yoruba community.
Sola Ebisieni, the national secretary of Afenifere, debunked the false news in a telephone interview, confirming that Pa Adebanjo is in good health.
Ebisieni stated that he had been with Pa Adebanjo the previous night in a meeting with other Yoruba leaders.
“That is not correct. Pa Ayo Adebanjo, our leader, is alive; he is hale and hearty. He has even directed me this morning to issue a statement to that effect. I was with him last night in a meeting with other Yoruba leaders,” Ebisieni said.
Ebisieni explained that the confusion arose due to a case of mistaken identity.
The death that was announced was actually that of Ayo Banjo, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, who passed away on Friday.
“There is a mistaken identity; there was an announcement on the vice-chancellor from the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo, who died,” he clarified.
The clarification from Ebisieni has brought relief to the community and followers of Afenifere, who were unsettled by the erroneous reports.
Pa Ayo Adebanjo remains a significant figure in Yoruba socio-cultural and political affairs, and his well-being is of great importance to many.
