AKURE — Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, has died at the age of 100.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the death in a condolence message signed in Akure on Tuesday. He described Fasoranti as a patriarch and a symbol of wisdom, integrity and selfless service, and said his death was a great loss to Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

In a statement he signed personally, President Bola Tinubu sent condolences to the family, the Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State, the South-West and Afenifere. He described Fasoranti as one of the last great figures of the progressive political family of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Fasoranti was an educationist and school principal before serving as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State. He later led Afenifere. Born on 11 May 1926 in Uso, Ondo State, Fasoranti studied at University College, Ibadan, the University of Hull and Macquarie University. He founded Akure High School and other schools, served as Commissioner for Finance from 1979 to 1983 under Governor Adekunle Ajasin, and was active in the pro-democracy coalition NADECO. He became leader of Afenifere after the death of Pa Abraham Adesanya. His daughter, Funke Olakunrin, was killed by gunmen in July 2019.

Tinubu recalled visiting Fasoranti's home in Akure in 2022 to inform him of his presidential ambition, and said the elder statesman told him he would become President in his lifetime. The President said he had hoped Fasoranti would live to see his second term.