Fasoranti Steps down as Afenifere Leader

The Leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, has stepped down as the group’s leader.

His deputy, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, now takes over as the leader.

Fasoranti announced his decision to step down, during the meeting of the group at the Akure residence of the nonagenarian on Tuesday citing old age for his action.

Oba Oladipo Olaitain, the Alago of Kajola Ago, Atakomosa East Council Area, Ilesa, Osun State, was also announced as the deputy.

In spite of the stepping down of the nonagenarian, it was stated that the congress of the group would still be holding in the Akure residence of the 95-year-old statesman.

Fasoranti said: “Afenifere now needs more than ever before to have an improved organization with a more effective approach to issues.

“Only a more agile and active leadership can achieve this. At 95, I am hardly able to provide such and so it is time for me to step aside.

“At this point, let me take a break and make an important point. Whatever has been achieved by Afenifere has been by collective leadership. The leader in Afenifere works according to the leadership model. In this respect, I want to pay special tribute to all my colleagues in Afenifere most especially two of them — the late Chief Olaniwun Ajayi and my good brother and friend, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. They both worked so hard to keep Afenifere up in the times of the travails. The passage of Chief Olaniwun Ajayi did not impact negatively on the commitment of Chief Ayo Adebanjo towards all that Afenifere stands for.

“Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s efforts stand him out as a deep lover of Afenifere and the Yoruba people. He has been in the trenches all his life.”

Reading the communiqué of the group after the meeting, Chief Korede Duyile assured Nigerians that the new leaders are capable of leading the group.

He described Adebanjo as a progressive who had been in the Chief Obafemi Awolowo fold long ago, adding that the leaders have all it takes to occupy the positions.

In the communiqué, the group called on all governors of the South-west states to give the South-west security network code named Amotekun, the necessary bite to carry out its duties.

The Yoruba leaders also called on the federal government to set in motion the process of having state police in Nigeria, saying it’s crucial for checking the rising insecurity in the country.

They reasoned that the argument that governors would abuse the opportunity of state police would be resolved as they merged.

The group also called on the federal government and lawmakers to work on how to restructure the nation, warning that: “If this is not properly addressed, it could be the end of Nigeria.”

Several members of the group from all states in the region, including Kwara State, attended the meeting.

Among them are Chief Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Sola Ebiseni and others.