PANDEF Mourns Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Extorls His Virtues Of Integrity, Nation Building And Teamwork With Pa E.K Clark

Press Statement

PANDEF Mourns Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Extorls His Virtues Of Integrity, Nation Building And Teamwork With Late Pa E.K Clark

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, former National Leader of our sister organisation, AFENIFERE, the apex socio-political body of the South-West. We join in thanking God that he died on 20th October 2026, at the ripe age of 100 years.

2. PANDEF extends its deepest condolences to the Fasoranti family, the leadership and all of AFENIFERE, the Akure Kingdom, Ondo State, the Yoruba nation, and all Nigeria.

3. Pa Fasoranti’s life was defined by integrity, quiet consistency and service. An educationist of first rank, he taught for decades and served as an accomplished principal. A lifelong disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he remained an unwavering advocate for progressive values, restructuring and democratic accountability. He lead Afenifere through periods of both consensus and internal strain.

4. Through the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF)—the coalition of socio-political organisations of the South-South (PANDEF), South-West (Afenifere), South-East (Ohanaeze Ndigbo) and MBF, the Middle Belt Forum, PANDEF enjoyed years of close and constructive relations with Pa Fasoranti and his then Deputy late Pa Ayo Adebanjo. Under them, AFENIFERE was a foundation member of the Forum. Pa Fasoranti remained a steady, respected voice at national level for the practice of true federalism, devolution of power and democratic governance.

5. On the occasion of the demise of late Chief Edwin Clark in 2025, long-time leader of both PANDEF and the SMBLF, Pa Fasoranti remembered his memory with a brotherly and fraternal tribute, describing him as a tireless advocate for a restructured Nigeria and for the interests of the South-South. That summed the mutual regard in the long-standing solidarity between AFENIFERE and PANDEF on questions of national cohesion, national peace and entrenchment of rule of law, justice, equity and resource control.

6. Pa Fasoranti has clearly left footprints in the long struggle for a better, democratic and more equitable Nigeria. His passing closes a significant chapter in the history of progressive politics in the country and inter-regional collaboration.

7..We specially enjoin the family and the Yoruba nation to be guided by the Holy Scripture that “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… they will rest from their labor.” (Revelations Chapter 14 verse 13)

8. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed:

AMB. GODKNOWS Boladei Igali, PhD, OON
National Chairman, PANDEF
22nd October, 2026