At 99 years old, Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that reached all the way to the presidency.
President Bola Tinubu has responded to the news with a public tribute, saying Nigeria will miss Fasoranti's wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel. He noted the loss is felt most sharply knowing that guidance will no longer be available in moments of national need.
Fasoranti was one of the most recognizable voices in Yoruba politics and a figure whose influence extended well beyond regional boundaries. His role within Afenifere made him a touchstone for conversations about governance, equity, and the direction of the Nigerian state.
As tributes continue to pour in, the question his passing quietly raises is this: who steps into that kind of moral space now?
Originally published by Premium Times.