President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said that the late leader of the Pan Yoruba group; Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, would be given a befitting burial because he lived and died for the peace, development and unity of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Akpabio stated this on Friday, when he led the leadership and members of the 10th Senate on a condolence visit to the family of the late yoruba leader in Lagos State.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “we are here today, to further assure you that you are not alone on this.
“The Nigerian Senate and Nigerians are with you and will support you to accord our departed icon a befitting burial. Let me assure you all that the Senate across party lines, is prepared to be part of the arrangements to give our late father, a befitting burial.
“Before we came here, Senator Gbenga Daniels ensured that during our Thursday sitting, we accorded our Baba his due respect by allowing senators to pay tributes on the floor of the Senate and speak on what they knew about our departed father.
“We don’t have to mourn his departure because he lived a life that we are all proud of today. He fought along others to ensure that we have the democracy we all enjoy today.
Akpabio noted further that, “Pa Adebanjo lived and died speaking truth to power. His intentions were not to be seen as opponent or enemy of any government or party, his outbursts sometimes on national issues, were intended to make people in government do the right thing for the masses. He was a Pan Nigerian. He lived well. We shall celebrate him.”
In the entourage of the Senate President were Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate Whip, Onyekachi Nweboyin, Senators, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Abiru Adetokuno, Gbenga Daniels, Titus Zam and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
