The conflict afflicting the Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has worsened as its two major officials, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Pa Ayo Adebanjo, disagreed over presidential candidate support and the group’s leadership position.
Although there was speculation that the group’s leaders held opposing views on the way forward in the current political climate, their disagreement remained hidden until the recent visit of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to the group’s leaders in Akure, Ondo State.
Tinubu’s thronging entourage and the Afenifere chiefs who welcomed him converted the visit into a mini-political rally, and the former governor of Lagos State was backed by the group. Fasoranti and other leaders of the group also prayed for his success in the 2023 election.
2023: Afenifere Divided As Adebanjo Insists On Obi As Fasoranti Backs Tinubu
Long before the visit, Adebanjo and a portion of the group endorsed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in September, citing the need for the South-East geographical zone to produce its first president after other zones had had their turn.
However, at the Akure gathering, when Adebanjo was not present, the leaders endorsed and rallied support for Tinubu.
Yoruba leaders from Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara states attended the summit.
Later, the National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, issued a statement in which he portrayed Tinubu’s presidency as ushering in “a new era of hope, peace, security, harmony, gainful employment for the multitude, economic progress, social and political stability.”
The organisation said Tinubu “shared with us his vision of a greater and more prosperous Nigeria where democratic rights, rule of law, justice and fairness will reign supreme. He also gave an assurance on steps to be taken to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties.”
2023 Presidency: Afenifere Never Endorsed Peter Obi – Fasoranti
The visit sparked a disagreement inside the group, with some claiming that Fasoranti, who stepped down as leader and turned over to Adebanjo as interim leader, should not have backed Tinubu on the group’s behalf.
In an interview with Impact TV Africa, Fasoranti indicated unequivocally that he has neither resigned nor retired as Afenifere’s leader.
“I didn’t resign or retire from leadership. I was misunderstood. I think the best thing is to correct that,” he said, stressing that he was still the leader of Afenifere.
Speaking further in the interview, Fasoranti explained the group’s choice of Tinubu.
He said, “As you can see, the trend, the approval and the acceptability. You could see what happened when Tinubu came to meet me in Akure. The media carried the whole thing.
“Adebanjo does not have the capacity to warn me not to welcome Tinubu. Can he do that successfully?
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“What happened was that Adebanjo took a stand and I took a stand. I didn’t call him and he didn’t call me. We never spoke about the visit.
“As you saw yesterday, it goes without saying that Jagaban was accepted. Obi has no stand in our mind at all.”
Speaking to our correspondent, Adebanjo stated that he was not present at the Akure meeting, adding that he was not willing to get involved in any controversy over the meeting’s decision.
He said, “In the first place, I was not supposed to be there. In the second place, we have made our position clear. Pa Fasoranti asked me if I was coming, I said if he asked me to come, but (I asked him to) tell him (Tinubu) what the position of Afenifere is. Once he has done that, I’m not going into any controversy about that.
“Afenifere has taken a stance to support Obi. Any other splinter or rebel group…I’m not going into any controversy about that. I regard that as a diversion. What we are going to do now is see that we succeed at the election.”
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Following the visit and Fasoranti’s interview, some have suggested that Adebanjo’s position as acting president is untenable.
Adebanjo, on the other hand, informed our correspondent on Wednesday that Fasoranti lacked the authority to dismiss him because he was only an ordinary member of the organization.
“He has no right, constitutionally or otherwise, to do so. He’s functus officio (no longer in office.) He has resigned and is just an ordinary member of the party.
“Once he has handed over to me, I am the de facto leader of Afenifere. I won’t make it a controversy at all. Let him test his position wherever.
“Where does he derive his authority? Is Afenifere a monarchy? It’s a pity that in his old age he’s being led astray.
“Have you heard of somebody who is out of a process now saying he’s coming back again? It’s a pity he’s making himself a laughing stock,” Adebanjo said.Part of the crisis rocking Afenifere involves the location where the organisation’s future meetings will be held.
2023 Presidency: Afenifere Never Endorsed Peter Obi – Fasoranti
Members had usually gathered in Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, prior to Sunday’s meeting in Akure, which Adebanjo boycotted.
Afenifere has a long history of holding leadership meetings at its leaders’ country homes.
However, in a recent interview, Fasoranti stated that it was conceivable for Afenifere meetings to return to Akure.
He said, “Yes, that’s the best. The reason the meeting was shifted from here was a misunderstanding, misinterpretation and misconception of some people that I was going senile and that I couldn’t comprehend. So, when I heard that, I reacted and the person who said that regretted saying so. So, no problem.”
Fasoranti expressed his eagerness for Afenifere meetings in Akure, saying they would take place “as soon as the secretary and I put our heads together, and the leaders as well.”
He went on to say that the majority of the organization’s executives decided that future meetings should be held in Akure rather than Ogbo.
Afenifere: Tinubu Should Ask Me For Forgiveness – Adebanjo
When made aware that Fasoranti would love to see Afenifere meetings moved to Akure, Adebanjo said, “He has no right to say anything about Afenifere, he has resigned. All the powers and authorities of Afenifere have been vested in me. That’s what I’m saying. I’ve never heard of where somebody who resigned from a political party said he was coming back again.”
When reached, the Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, told our correspondent that he was unaware of Fasoranti’s claim that the Afenifere meeting will now be held in Akure.
He said, “To be honest with you, I am not aware of that.”
Asked further about the brewing crisis in the group, the spokesman said there was none.
He said, “There is no crisis in Afenifere.”
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