UK, US chapters reject Oba Olaitan as Afenifere’s factional leader
Two groups, under the platform of the United Kingdom and the United States of America chapters of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, have rejected the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the association’s leader.
This was contained in a statement by the chairmen of the groups, Babatunde Shianaba (UK), and Dr Durojaiye Akindutire (US), made available to our correspondent in Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday,
Olaitan was appointed as the leader of the Afenifere, loyal to the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, at the group’s meeting held at Sanya Ogbo Ijebu, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
The appointment came a few days after the death of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who passed away at the age of 97.
Oba Olaitan was the deputy to the late Adebanjo
However, in the statement, the UK and US chapters of Afenifere, described the appointment of Oba Olaitan as an affront to the Afenifere in general.
They declared that Pa Reuben Fasoranti remained the leader of the association.
The statement read, “Afenifere remains a structured and principled organisation under the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a revered elder statesman whose wisdom and steadfast guidance continue to shape the destiny of the Yoruba people.
“It is wholly against Yoruba culture and values for younger individuals to belittle elders or seek to usurp the authority of well-established leaders.
“Those parading themselves as representatives of a so-called faction of Afenifere are nothing more than political opportunists and self-serving power traders.
“If they wish to establish a separate entity, they are at liberty to do so, but they must desist from exploiting Afenifere’s revered name to further their personal ambitions.
“Afenifere has always been a movement dedicated to the welfare of the Yoruba people within Nigeria, advocating for justice, equity, and good governance.
“The very notion that a faction could claim to represent Afenifere while acting in direct contradiction to its founding principles is patently absurd. We urge such individuals to educate themselves on the rich and noble history of Afenifere rather than engage in reckless political manoeuvring.”
While appealing to Olaitan to desist from assuming the office of a leader of the group, the Afenifere in diaspora said traditional rulers were expected to serve as custodians of peace and unity, not as instruments of discord within respected socio-political structures.
They also called for his sanction.
