By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, on Monday, paid tribute to the late leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, saying he was was instrumental in the 2023 victory recorded by LP 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Lagos State.
Abure’s tribute was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, after Abure led a delegation of the Labour Party executives to the residence of the late elder statesman over the weekend.
In the February 27, 2023 presidential election, Obi floored the All Progressives Congress flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (now President), in Lagos, his stronghold, by winning nine local government areas in Lagos.
The LGAs are Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Ojo and Alimosho
Tinubu, on the other hand, triumphed in Agege, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.
Despite winning more councils, his victory was not enough to stop the former Anambra governor, who polled a total of 575,735 as against Tinubu’s of 573,001 votes.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, could only amass 75,750 votes, while the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, got only 8,8442 votes.
Reacting on Monday, Abure said Adebanjo deserved credit for his contribution to the electoral upset.
According to him, Adebanjo’s troubleshooting efforts not only engendered peace in the Labour Party but also propelled the party into achieving massive successes in the last general elections.
He said, “Recall that the Labour Party played a major role in the 2023 general elections. I can remember whenever a crisis came up, he (Adebanjo) would summon me to Lagos.
We would discuss and reach amicable resolutions in those crises.
“Our strong performance in the last general elections can be credited to his several interventions. He navigated several of such cases, particularly in Lagos, and today, that state is one of the strongest bases of the party. I learnt a lot from Pa Adebanjo personally, that culture of resistance, defending what is right, defending democracy and the rule of law, I learnt it from him.
“I am happy that the struggle to enthrone democracy in Nigeria was achieved in his lifetime. Many of his contemporaries were not that lucky. He saw an unbroken democracy for close to 25 years, and he participated in it. We were able to identify and put together all our candidates from the presidential candidate down to the least position and the ruling oligarchy didn’t believe what they saw in the 2023 general elections.
“For the first time, we mobilised the youths of this country. For the first time, the youth of the country saw hope and they were living it. They envisioned themselves in it and we were able to achieve that change. Pa Adebanjo, as old as he was, led the struggle.”
While stating that Adebanjo died a proud supporter of the Labour Party, Abure vowed the party would stand by his family at all times.