Adebanjo Remains Afenifere Leader ― Fasoranti
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Immediate past leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has described as false the report circulating in the social media space that Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no longer the acting leader of the group.
Clarifying his statement on the Group’s leadership structure, the 95-year-old elder statesman, said Chief Adebanjo has not been removed as its acting leader.
Pa Fasoranti, criticised by many after hosting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Akure residence on Sunday, also denied ordering that Afenifere’s meeting should revert to his abode going forward.
The media space has been awash with reports quoting Pa Fasoranti as announcing the removal of Chief Adebanjo from the acting leadership position after his outburst against Tinubu’s recent endorsement by the nonagenarian.
In a statement dated Thursday, November 3, 2022, and signed by his personal assistant, Mr Adedapo Abiola, the 95-year-old elder statesman declared that he never at anytime made the comments being attributed to him during the meeting with Tinubu.
A copy of the statement made available to the media quoted Pa Fasoranti as saying that the false report was designed to cause confusion and polarise Afenifere ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The statement read thus: “It has come to Papa R.F. Fasoranti’s knowledge that some sections of the media, especially the social media, have been ascribing to him false statements designed to cause confusion and polarise Afenifere.
“I have Papa’s permission to say that he has not said that Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no longer the acting leader of Afenifere or that all future Afenifere meetings should henceforth be held at his residence in Akure.
“Papa’s main concern is the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation in Nigeria. It is also his concern that Afenifere should survive in dignity and remain a purveyor of the interest of the Yoruba race.
“It is hoped that this information will be adequately circulated.
“Thank you.”
Recalled that following the Sunday meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Chief Adebanjo had openly criticised the visit and Afenifere members for endorsing the APC candidate, alleging that Tinubu’s plans were aimed at dividing Afenifere.
Consistently maintaining that Afenifere will support the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the 2023 presidential election on grounds of equity and fairness, Adebanjo insists all the geo-political zones have had a fair chance of ruling the nation and that it was the turn of the South-east to produce the next President.
Throwing his hat into the ring also, former General Secretary of Afenifere, Seinde Arogbofa, described as ‘unfounded and untrue’ allegations that the group’s members were compromised to endorse the former Lagos State governor.
He said the group’s position was in the interest of the nation and the Yoruba people, adding that the confusion arising from the APC flag bearer’s visit to Akure on Sunday would be resolved within the group very soon.
