Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kolu Omololu asserted that Pa Ruben Fasoranti dedicated his life to serving the less privileged and promoting an egalitarian society rather than pursuing political power or personal wealth.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Omololu said the late Afenifere leader embodied selflessness, contentment and public service, describing his commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians as central to his legacy.
“Baba’s life is not something where you march to gain political attention. It’s an important thing in him. We are going to serve the less privileged. That is what Baba is all about and Awolowo is an egalitarian society. Let the rich be getting richer, while the poor must be looked after. These fingers are not equal. That is why they call us waferists.”
He said the late elder statesman had remained committed to democratic values since graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1951.
“Democratic value from 1951, Baba has been there. He has gone through turmoil. Bwari came, jailed Baba with Ajasi. When Ajasi sits, Baba sits beside him. The courts found Baba not guilty under Ajasi, yet the military presidents put them in prison just for our own cause. Those were the fate of Baba in those days.”
Omololu recalled that Fasoranti faced political setbacks during the First Republic but remained committed to serving the public. “Before then, in 1964, Baba won an election as the head of Kure Municipal Council. Baba Kitola said, no, your name has not been announced. They took the tail from him, yet Baba did not depart from the goodness.”
He also highlighted Fasoranti’s contribution to education, saying he established a school to give citizens access to learning before voluntarily handing it over to the government.
“He founded schools for citizens to go to school. By the time government came, they took over the school. Baba willingly handed over the school to them.”
Omololu said the school, known as Omoliri School, was the first private school in Ondo Province and continued to operate.
“The Omoliri school that we’re talking about was the first private school in the whole of Ondo province. Now, it’s in the Ondo state. It’s still running.”
Omololu also recounted how Fasoranti declined an opportunity to become governor of Ondo State after the death of his wife, saying the elder statesman did not want to remarry. “They are using drug money, they are using everything to buy the position. The position was presented on the platter of gold to Baba for charity. Baba said, no, I cannot be a governor without having a wife, and I’m not ready to marry again. What a human being. Baba refused the position. That is why the position went to Baba Adifarate.”
Omololu said Fasoranti remained a respected leader who listened to people regardless of their status and allowed different views to be heard during meetings. “This is the kind of human being Baba oversees the meeting of everybody. If we’re holding a friendly fair with hundreds of people there, Baba will listen to everybody. One or two statesmen will summarise everything everybody has said.”
He described Fasoranti as one of the last major figures of the political tradition established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. “He knows what Awolowo wants for his people and he’s been doing it. So that is why he has this respect by the president, by governors, by everybody.”
Omololu said Afenifere would continue its work despite the deaths of prominent leaders and divisions within the group. “It’s an unfortunate period that we had before the 2023 election that got the acting leader and the substantive leader, you know, each of them backing separate candidates. It’s an unfortunate thing. It has never happened in the history of our land.”
He expressed confidence that the organisation would preserve its leadership tradition and continue to contribute to Nigeria’s development.
“So the future of Afeneferi is fantastic. I can tell you, the way they have, somebody came, you know, to be appointed a leader, at that time it’s going to be the same thing. We know the way we do our things.”
Omololu also discussed divisions linked to the political contest involving Chief Akin Omoboriowo and Chief Adekunle Ajasin in Ondo State. He said Omoboriowo became caught in the political manoeuvring of the period. “Unfortunately, Chief Omoboriuwu fell into their trap, but the public of those states, now, they did not fall for it, they said, no, this is the one we
want, it’s Agassi and Fashoronti that we want.”
Omololu’s tribute presented Fasoranti as a leader whose legacy rested on democratic struggle, education, social equality and service to ordinary people rather than the pursuit of wealth or political office.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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