Afenifere leader Fasoranti dies at 100, Tinubu, Obasanjo mourn

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the passing of prominent Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti and former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, stating that Nigeria has lost two esteemed titans. In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo characterized Fasoranti as a paragon of public service, emphasizing his steadfast adherence to character, sacrifice, and integrity.

He described Fasoranti's life as a masterclass in purposeful longevity and unblemished leadership. The former president noted that Fasoranti, as an educator, recognized early on that the cornerstone of nation-building lay in nurturing its people. He highlighted Fasoranti's pivotal role in prestigious institutions and his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Ondo State under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which served as a benchmark for fiscal discipline and transparency.

Fasoranti was a unifying force for Afenifere during a period of disunity, staunchly opposed military dictatorship, and remained an unwavering advocate for genuine federalism, justice, and equity. Obasanjo fondly remembered Fasoranti's amiable nature and open-door policy, even when political disagreements arose, asserting that their mutual respect never waned.

Regarding Uduaghan, Obasanjo mourned the loss of a distinguished gentleman, a committed medical practitioner, and a consummate statesman. He recalled collaborating closely with Uduaghan during his service as Commissioner for Health and subsequently as Secretary to the State Government under the previous Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

Obasanjo fondly recalled Uduaghan's exceptional administrative skills and his steadfast dedication to fostering peace and progress in Delta State, qualities that prepared him for governorship in 2007. The ex-president lamented that Uduaghan's remarkable leadership and vision had been diminished by Nigeria's recent political turmoil.