The Senate on Wednesday honoured the late former Senator Anthony Adeniyi (SAN), declaring that his leadership of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) played a key role in President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Paying glowing tributes during plenary, lawmakers described the late Ekiti politician as a committed democrat, accomplished lawyer and loyal party stalwart whose grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu’s presidential ambition left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s political history.
Adeniyi, who represented Ekiti South Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, died on June 24, 2026, at the age of 75. Until his death, he served as the Ekiti State Chairman of SWAGA, the political movement that spearheaded support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 polls.
Leading the debate on a motion, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) said the late senator’s dedication to democracy, public service and political mobilisation contributed immensely to Tinubu’s emergence as President.
According to him, Adeniyi’s leadership of SWAGA in Ekiti helped galvanise massive grassroots support that strengthened the President’s successful campaign.
Adaramodu also praised the late lawmaker’s performance in the National Assembly, where he served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, describing him as a principled legislator committed to good governance.
Joining the tributes, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (LP, Abia South) described Adeniyi as an outstanding parliamentarian whose contributions enriched debates in the Senate. He fondly recalled the late senator’s sense of humour, revealing that colleagues nicknamed him “the herbalist” because he often joked that anyone who troubled him would be “turned into a bird.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin hailed Adeniyi as a hardworking legislator who made significant contributions to constitutional amendment processes, while Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North) applauded his role in strengthening support for Tinubu through SWAGA.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the deceased as a loyal party man and committed lawmaker whose political influence extended beyond the National Assembly to the successful actualisation of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
As a mark of respect, the Senate observed a minute’s silence in his honour.
Akpabio also inaugurated a high-powered delegation led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to visit the bereaved family in Ekiti State.
The delegation includes Senators Yemi Adaramodu, Cyril Fasuyi, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Sunday Karimi, Abdul Ningi, Babangida Hussaini and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas.
The Senate said Adeniyi’s legacy of legislative excellence, public service and political leadership would remain a lasting inspiration for future generations.
