AFENIFERE CRISIS: ADEBANJO IS REMOVED AS ACTING LEADER BY FASORANTI'S GROUP

THE conflict engulfing the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere intensified yesterday when the Acting Leader and Deputy Leader roles, currently held by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan, were eliminated by the Reuben Fasoranti group.

However, when asked about his thoughts on the development, Pa Ayo Adebanjo responded, "I have no comments."

Remember when Pa Fasoranti resigned as the leader of Afenifere in 2021, primarily citing old age as his reason?

On the other hand, he declared Pa Adebanjo to be the Yoruba group's acting leader.

In 2008, Fasoranti assumed leadership of the group.

"As the group needs more than ever before to have an improved organization with a more effective approach to combat the monstrous invasion of our culture and pride as a people, only a more alike and active leadership can achieve this," stated Fasoranti in 2021 during the group's monthly meeting held in Akure, the capital of Ondo state. It's time for me to move aside because, at 95, I can scarcely supply such.

"At this point, I am pleased to announce His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago in Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun State, as the Deputy Leader and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a politician of the Awolowo school of thought, as the acting leader of Afenifere."

However, the organization announced that the decision to eliminate the position was made in order to stop the polarization after emerging from its monthly meeting, which was held at Fasoranti's rural house.

Oba Olu Falae, the SSG's former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was ordered to chair the meeting at Fasoranti's request.

The group said in a press release read to reporters by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, that Dr. Niyi Ikuomelo of Ondo State and Professor Samuel Ibikunle of Ogun State, both 92, had proposed the motion on the necessity of abolishing the dual roles of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader.

In his motion, Professor Ibikunle stated that "I, Prof. Samuel Ibikunle of Ogun state Afenifere, hereby move that the offices of the acting leader and deputy leader should be dissolved into an Afenifere Elders Caucus to be constituted by the leader, based on the report of the reconciliation committee, that it has reached a dead end and is unable to achieve reconciliation."

The statement says as follows: "Dr. S. J. Ibikunle of Ogun State submitted a motion on the necessity of abolishing the dual offices of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader. Members from the states of Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo, and Ondo seconded it.The motion was unanimously carried when the topic was brought before the general house.