Fallen Giants of Restructuring : Adebanjo and EK Clark

By Politics Editor Clifford Ndujihe

Among many others, the late elder statesman Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro shared a vision with the late Chiefs Ayo Adebanjo and Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. They sacrificed their lives to bring about the restructuring of Nigeria to real federalism.

In 2005, he was asked why, at the age of 82, he was still fighting a war he began at the age of 21. "The youth of my generation set out to struggle for freedom, modernization, and democracy," stated Chief Enahoro. We were successful with freedom, as you are aware. To a large degree, we were also successful in modernizing; nonetheless, Nigeria has had a dismal record in terms of democratization. So far, we have failed.

I believe that retreating until that aim is achieved is a betrayal of the aspirations of my generation and colleagues, many of whom lost their lives in our efforts. I don't think I've been fortunate enough to live so long in good health to betray our fight and egotistically focus only on my own affairs.

In fact, Enahoro carried on the fight for five more years until his death on December 15, 2010, at the age of 87. Adebanjo and Clark, like him, fought till the end for real federalism, resource control, restructuring, equity, justice, and fairness.

Clark passed away three days later, on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, while Adebanjo passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

Like the three, many notable Nigerians have devoted their lives to the struggle for restructuring over the years, promoting justice, equity, and true federalism. Unfortunately, they died before seeing their vision for Nigeria come to pass. The following is a list of notable people who lost their lives for this cause:

In 2005, he was asked why, at the age of 82, he was still fighting a war he began at the age of 21. "The youth of my generation set out to struggle for freedom, modernization, and democracy," stated Chief Enahoro. We were successful with freedom, as you are aware. To a large degree, we were also successful in modernizing; nonetheless, Nigeria has had a dismal record in terms of democratization. So far, we have failed.

I view retreating until that aim is achieved as a betrayal of the aspirations of my generation and colleagues, many of whom lost their lives in our efforts. I don't think I should be able to dishonor our struggle and selfishly limit myself to personal affairs because fate has allowed me to live so long in good health.

In fact, Enahoro carried on the fight for five more years until his death on December 15, 2010, at the age of 87. Adebanjo and Clark, like him, fought till the end for real federalism, resource control, restructuring, equity, justice, and fairness.

Clark passed away three days later, on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, while Adebanjo passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

Like the three, many notable Nigerians have devoted their lives to the struggle for restructuring over the years, promoting justice, equity, and true federalism. Unfortunately, they died before seeing their vision for Nigeria come to pass. The following is a list of notable people who lost their lives for this cause: