Omololu: We Won’t Allow Rebels within Afenifere to Derail Yoruba’s Progress

National Organising Secretary Of Afenifere, Kole Omololu, in this interview with Gboyega Akinsanmi, speaks about the leadership crisis that befell Yoruba’s apex socio-cultural organisation before the 2023 polls, President Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy and unify foreign exchange system as well as Afenifere’s expectations from the new government, among other issues.

With the leadership crisis that threatened Afenifere before the 2023 elections, it appears the contemporary Afenifere has lost its founding core values?

I disagree with you to a large extent. There is a need to understand what Afenifere stands for and how it has pursued the vision of its founding fathers.

First, Afenifere is a legacy organisation of the Yoruba Nation. The word was coined to represent the values and ideals of the Action Group in 1951. It was designed to emphasise and illustrate our core values founded on the principles of egalitarianism, democratic social welfare and a life more abundant for all. These are the virtues that the Yoruba family holds very dearly and which Afenifere has consistently applied with integrity for decades.

Second, Afenifere has enjoyed the trust and support of our people not only in South-west states, but also in other Yoruba-speaking states namely Kogi and Kwara. This was demonstrated during the last presidential election. President Bola Tinubu is one of our illustrious sons, and we did our best to rally support for him at different levels.

Third, we owe Afenifere’s pre-eminence over and above all the Yoruba socio-cultural organisations to the astuteness, commitment and self-sacrifice of our founding fathers led by the late sage and first Premier of the Western Region, Pa Obafemi Awolowo.

Pa Awolowo exhibited focused, farsighted and diligent leadership qualities with awesome and matchless integrity.

He made so much personal sacrifice for the good of the people of the Yoruba Nation, a rare feat that we are now praying God will help Asiwaju Tinubu attain now that he has taken charge as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These ideals still govern our interventions and operations till date, and we exhibited our flinching support for Asiwaju’s presidential aspiration.

Now that the general election has been concluded, what steps are being taken to resolve divisions in the ranks of Afenifere leaders?

As a socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere treasures the culture of consultation and consensus. The division you are talking about was as a result of lack of consultation, especially among a few members led by our acting leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

Since the military proscribed the Action Group in 1966, the focus of Afenifere, especially from 1987, remains Yoruba-focused. However, this focus is coated with macro-Nigeria thought.

Whatever we do as a socio-cultural organisation, our people must be carried along. As a matter of principle, we cannot and must not impose an idea on them.

That explains why we generously supported Asiwaju’s presidential aspiration because he is the choice of the Yoruba people. This is where Afenifere stands.

Coincidentally, this is where the APC stands. Any other dissenting opinion is a voice in a cuckoo land. Afenifere will not allow itself to be used to rebel against the choice of the people and still be pretending to be speaking for the same people.

Our mission is to strengthen the unity of the Yoruba Nation; fight for the rights of the Yoruba people and protect the civilisation of the Yoruba Nation.

Afenifere is no doubt under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti. After his daughter, Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin, was gruesomely murdered, Pa Fasoranti appointed Pa Adebanjo, as the acting leader and Oba Diipo Olaitan as the deputy leader. But any statement or action against the authority of Pa Fasoranti shall henceforth be deemed abominable, rebellious and sacrilegious.

Put differently, it will be seen as a sin against the spirit of the Yoruba people. The media should please take note.

In his celebrated article titled “In Yorubaland, a King Is not Buried Alive,” published in The Guardian on November 3, 2022, Chief Dare Babarinsa, provided a valid illustration of Afenifere’s culture and its modus operandi.

Afenifere does not operate like the western organogram. We operate the way our forefathers laid down. It is called “olori ebi system” (the head of the family). The leader of Afenifere remains in that position until he dies, even if he is invalid or stepped aside.

All meetings must hold in his house, he must be briefed about all the outcomes of the meetings and decisions. By implication, an acting leader only chairs meetings on behalf of the leader. The moment he sees himself as de facto leader, confusion set in.

As a people, Yoruba protect their values and culture jealously. Hence, we remain principled on issues that are fundamental to our values as Yoruba’s foremost socio-cultural organisation. No acting leader can assume the position of leadership until the leader is called home. Doing so is an act of treachery, and it is regarded as a coup, which cannot stand the test of time.

Can you cite examples of previous leaders who led Afenifere in acting capacities? Did they comply with the ideals you just pointed out?

At least, there are three cases I can readily cite in the last 30 years or thereabouts.

First, Pa Adekunle Ajasin appointed Senator Jonathan Odebiyi when he was advanced in age and could no longer really run around.

Pa Odebiyi was the Leader of the UPN in the Senate between 1979 and 1983. He acted for a while. During his period, all meetings were held in Pa Ajasin country home in Owo. However, Pa Odebiyi died before Pa Ajasin. Second, Senator Abraham Adesanya stepped in as the acting leader when Pa Odebiyi died because Pa Ajasin was still alive. He did not become the leader of Afenifere until Pa Ajasin passed on to glory. Pa Fasoranti also acted until Pa Adesanya died.

Afenifere has a rich tradition of succession, and no one can change it. Pa Fasoranti has to make a definite statement on this tradition to save Afenifere from a dangerous slide into anarchy. No fewer than 99 percent of the people of the Yoruba Nation wanted their son, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the President of Nigeria. Only a few members led by Pa Adebanjo, without consultation, debate or general agreement tried to foist their opinion on the majority. The result of the last presidential election attested to the decision of the majority of our people.

Pa Fasoranti has been more feasible just before and after President Bola Tinubu’s election and inauguration. Does it suggest that Pa Adebanjo has ceased to be Afenifere’s acting leader?

Pa Adebanjo remains the appointed acting leader except Pa Fasoranti changes his mind. However, Pa Adebanjo is not the leader as it is being confusedly reported in the media. The leader of Afenifere has to die for another leader to step in. Pa Fasoranti has to be visible to preserve the interest of the Yoruba Nation and protect people like us from being stoned on the streets.

Let me categorically say this again. The truth is that the bodies, spirits and souls of the Yoruba people wanted their son, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the President of Nigeria. But the minority among us said it was the turn of Igbo. It was Pa Fasoranti that came out and allied with the choice of the Yoruba people.

It is for the sake of his beloved Yoruba people. No more no less.

How did the October 22, 2022 meeting in Akure shape the election of the new president amid divisions among South-west political leaders?

Charity, they say, begins at home. President Tinubu is the son of Oduduwa, and Afenifere is seen as the Conscience of Yoruba Nation. Whoever Afenifere presents to Nigeria will be taken as the choice of the Yoruba Nation. The Akure meeting did not only present Asiwaju Tinubu to Nigeria.

It is also a confirmation that his people love and support him. And the promoters of the minority interests became silent when they saw huge support Afenifere garnered for Asiwaju.

As a result, Asiwaju’s popularity and rating went up by over 70 percent in all Yoruba-speaking states after the Akure meeting.

He became the man to beat.  I travelled from London to Nigeria twice. I even left my hospital bed to organise the Akure meeting.

It was a conviction I passionately shared. Only one invitee could not attend the Akure meeting. But he called Pa Fasoranti because he had back pain and could hardly walk.

He confirmed his total support for the Akure meeting. That is our erudite Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. General Alani Akinrinade cancelled his medical appointment for the day to be with our leader. General Olu Bajowa hurriedly left London to make the occasion.

Top Yoruba leaders like Archbishop Ladigbolu were there. The highlight of the day, for me, was Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, who was ably represented by his deputy. He is from an entirely different political party. Yet, he saw the need for a Yoruba presidency. Also, the role played by Hon. Oyetunde Ojo cannot be overemphasised. He stood like the Rock of Gibraltar on the day of the Akure meeting.

He supervised all areas of preparation hitch-free. The meeting ushered in a renewed Yoruba cooperation, which would be used throughout the presidency of Asiwaju Tinubu.

You have been fingered as a rebel leader behind Afenifere’s endorsement of Asiwaju Tinubu in Akure. Who were the other prominent leaders that facilitated the Akure meeting?

Do I look like a rebel? We only acted in the overall interest of the Yoruba Nation. If we did not act the way we did, we would have been on the other side today lamenting. Among all individuals that aspired to lead Nigeria, Asiwaju has the best credentials. Forget all the media propaganda.

To answer your questions, I can modestly claim to be the engine room of the Akure meeting. But the precursor started way back before the meeting itself. In 2019 just after the presidential election, we formed Imodoye, a group of eminent leaders from the Yoruba-speaking states with a shared vision for a Yoruba presidency. The group was under the chairmanship of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel. We started touring all Yoruba-speaking states. We visited Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. We also spent two nights with Dr. Kayode Fayemi in Ado Ekiti strategising, and he really gave us support. We travelled to Ila Orangun to consult with Baba Bisi Akande. Baba hosted us to a lavish reception. We also held meetings in Senator Daniel’s Maryland residence, Sagamu country home and also in his five-star hotel in Abeokuta all at his expense.

At that time we were convinced that Yoruba should produce the next president. Before this time, another group had been meeting under Otunba Gbenga Daniel to consider a paper written by Chief Dare Babarinsa with a tiny input from me. The group is called the Yoruba Commission. We held consultative meetings with General Alani Akinrinade and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. We also sought Oba Falae’s advice. We consulted all South-west governors. But we realised that for us to be successful with the governors, Asiwaju should be properly briefed about our mission. A committee was set up to see Asiwaju.

The members of the committee include myself, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Dare Babarinsa and Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Sadly, some fifth columnists got to know about our mission and misinformed Pa Adebanjo. They told Pa Adebanjo that Senator Daniel and Abagun Kole Omololu had perfected a plan to hand over Afenifere to Asiwaju Tinubu. That was a very satanic report. As a result, Senator Daniel and I were marked down. Pa Adebanjo and Prof. Banji Akintoye, who then chaired the Afenifere Political Committee, reprimanded me.

From this point, I gathered some prominent sons of Yorubaland to form the Conscience of Yoruba Nation to support Asiwaju’s presidential aspiration. A top banker, who always runs away from media publicity, was made the chairman of the group while Senator Daniel co-chaired.

Among others, the group comprises Pastor Tunde Lemo, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, Prof Adebayo Williams, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Demola Folarin, Diran Adesua, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, Pastor Kenny Adenugba, Ayo Adedoyin, Kunle Sokunbi and Leye Kupoluyi. We gathered all Yoruba top monarchs both in all the Yoruba-speaking states under the chairmanship of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) to parley Asiwaju Tinubu in Ibadan, the political capital of Yoruba Nation. The success of the Ibadan meeting was a feat that had not been recorded since 1937. The monarchs blessed their son, Asiwaju Tinubu and approved his presidential aspiration. I was particularly emotional and spiritually moved with the outcome. Here we are today. God truly answered the prayers. And it no longer matters what the fifth columnists then said about us and our mission.

Since his inauguration, President Tinubu has removed fuel subsidy; unified multiple exchange rates and made key appointments, among others. How comfortable is Afenifere with these decisions and why?

At Afenifere, we are truly watching the steps of Mr President with keen interest.

He is our son. Indeed, we approved and supported his presidential aspiration. But when next we see him eye-to-eye, we will tell him that Mr President, Afenifere believes you will lead Nigeria out of the doldrums and that we are counting on him to carry out fundamental reforms that will sustainably set Nigeria on the path of growth and development. We trust he will perform excellently.

The bold decision he has taken so far is worthy and further attests to his capacity to perform eminently. As soon as the government is fully constituted, reforms should start which will give Nigeria a solid foundation as it was envisaged by our founding fathers at independence.

So, we will wait to see more evidence of restructuring before we start commenting on his administration. But we are confident that he will not disappoint Nigeria. We also believe he will surely disappoint all the regressive elements that are purely after their selfish political interests. We have begun to see that already.

In the next 12 months, what are Afenifere’s expectations from the president?

I do not want to talk about that as a forward-looking Nigerian. However, the experience of the last eight years is better described as unimaginable.

The Tinubu administration must comb all the evils within the next twelve months. The imported killers of our people must be thoroughly investigated. Their collaborators must be identified and brought to book.

Let them face the full weight of the laws and be given a dose of their own medicine.

Also, priority must be placed on how to get youths engaged as soon as possible.

It is within the president’s constitutional power to devolve powers to the federating units, especially in the areas of federal roads, policing, VAT and other functions, which the states can comfortably handle.

The decision of Lagos State to take over and construct the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road is a good example. If Lagos State did not intervene, perhaps that road would still have remained an ugly image of our fatherland.

Insecurity is still an issue of great concerns for all Nigerians. How best can this challenge be addressed?

My fear is that the terrorists, killers, kidnappers and haters will launch back and ambush this government after three months. They will not relent because his emergence caught them by surprise. Our intelligence report shows those who want to battle the President will do so under the guise of democracy. Already, they have started from the Senate. There is a ferocious opposition to weaken him so that it will be difficult for him to seek another term in 2027.

These are my own findings and may not necessarily reflect details of their plan. Perhaps, I am like a wife, who always catches their randy husband through their feelings. With the socio-political realities we have witnessed as a federation in the two decades, we should decentralise the Nigeria Police to further protect lives and property. For instance, the governments of South-west states attempted at solving their internal challenges with the establishment of Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun.

The security outfit has given our people a sense of relief compared to when we were left to the Nigeria Police. This must be strengthened. We can no longer trust the Nigeria Police with the safety and security of our people. The President must strengthen this system. Adequate help and recognition must be accorded Operation Amotekun. The police must cooperate with Operation Amotekun. Inter-agency collaboration must be encouraged. Soft power policing with the introduction of security cameras all around our environment should be put in place within the next twelve months. It is doable.

This will help police effectiveness because they cannot be everywhere at the same time. For example, we read about the efficiency of the London Metropolitan Police in terms of crime investigation, detection and prosecution of suspects. This is simply because there are cameras everywhere and security personnel are not in service for selfish interests.

In the South-west, there is no synergy between socio-cultural leaders and elected officials. Is Afenifere taking any steps to ensure that socio-cultural leaders and political actors are not working at cross-purposes?

Under Pa Adesanya as leader of Afenifere, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Afenifere worked almost seamlessly with the elected representatives both at the states and at the national level. Senator Mojisola Akinfenwa was the leader of AD at the Senate while now Oba Diipo Olaitan was the leader of AD at the House of Representatives. They were always at the Afenifere meetings every Tuesday to brief the Afenifere Caucus about issues fundamental to the interests of the Yoruba Nation.

At the same time, the governors too were coming to the meetings to brief the Afenifere Caucus. We must develop a harmonious relationship with our elected officials. They are our people, and we cannot leave them to the task of governance alone because they need our support and we are ready to give them. We are taking concrete steps to identify with our elected officials at the National Assembly.

Afenifere is now a mass movement. Yet, our core values and principles remain intact. The interest of Yoruba is uppermost in our hearts. Afenifere of 1951 cannot be Afenifere of 2023. Afenifere of 1951 was the Action group personified. After 1966, methods and strategies have changed. Constant principle, but pragmatism and reality will dictate our operations henceforth. We will work through our elected officials regardless of party affiliations.

Can you share your vision of Nigeria in the next decade?

When we were young, we used to watch movies about British adventurers as untouchable merely because they are British. They were untouchable by adversaries.

You can’t touch me. Why? Because I am British. That is the dignity of a nation.

My first visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was about 30 years ago. My recent visit was in 2022. It was a hell transformed into a paradise. Travelling from Nigeria, I witnessed the strict immigration control, especially on Nigerians. In front was a Nigerian with a British passport. I saw a beautiful Emirate Immigration officer welcoming the passenger with a smile.

I want this for a Nigerian passport holder in eight years. I also want a United Regions of Nigeria where each region will be like an Emirate with the UAE. I want an Odua Football Club competing at the international arena. I want to travel to Akure  on a fast train in less than two hours. I want to get my luxury cars from Nnewi rather than Japan.

I want British and American youths born to Nigerian parents returning home in droves.

I want Nigerians, especially Yoruba sold into slavery centuries ago, to see Nigeria as a spiritual home. I want millions of tourists to feel free and secure in Nigeria. I strongly believe Nigeria is destined to lead black nations under President Tinubu.