24th January, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Pan-Yoruba Socio-cultural and Political Organization, Afenifere, has removed Pa Ayo Adebanjo as the acting leader.
The organisation removed Adebanjo after abolishing the Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of Afenifere.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of Afenifere’s General Meeting held at the Akure residence of the leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Pa Fasoranti and representatives from various State Chapters of Afenifere.
At the meeting, a motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State and was seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States.
When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously adopted.
The communique was signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere Worldwide.
The communique said in the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided that the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader be abrogated.
It was also agreed that the responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba were now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which has been constituted.
Members of the Elders Caucus are Chief R. F. Fasoranti as Chairman; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Senator C O Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (rtd), Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa (rtd) and Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi.
Others are Prof Banji Akintoye, Otunba Dr S A J Ibikunle, Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Prof Ropo Sekoni, Hon Lekan Alabi and Dr Kunle Olajide.
At the instance of the Leader, Oba Olu Falae, presided over the meeting.
The communique expressed shock over the blast that occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 14, 2024 and condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.
They also commiserated with the people of Plateau State over the attack on their communities by terrorists.
The meeting then deliberated on issues affecting Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole with particular reference to the socio-economic and security situations in the country.
The Afenifere said there was an urgent need to rework the Security Architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians were able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.
“Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such. Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land,” the communique said.