Nigeria, Feb. 14 -- Ayo Adebanjo, a leader of the Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, is dead.

He was 96.

Mr Adebanjo's death was announced in a statement by his family on Friday.

"He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria home at the age of 96," the family said in the statement signed by the nonagenarian's three children: Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo).

"His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath."

Until his death, Mr Adebanjo headed a faction of Afenifere and was an outspoken critic of President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Adebanjo's f...