Afenifere sacks Ayo Adebanjo as acting leader

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has abrogated the dual positions of acting leader and deputy leader within the group.

With the development, Ayo Adebanjo will no longer serve as the mainstream Yoruba group’s acting leader, while Reuben Fasoranti remains the organisation’s substantive leader.

The foremost Yoruba group disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its monthly meeting held at the country home of Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo State capital.

In the communique signed and made available to The Guardian by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, an elders’ caucus was constituted, which will be responsible for advising Fasoranti on sundry issues.

Members of the Elders Caucus are R.F. Fasoranti as Chairman, Ayo Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Senator C. O. Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, BasorunSeindeArogbofa, Senator KofoBucknor- Akerele, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt.-Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Maj.-Gen. Olu Bajowa (rtd), among others.”

The organisation, while reiterating its position on restructuring, advised that states and local councils should be given the power to establish their own police services to combat kidnapping and banditry.

“There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.

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“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas, with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The organisation took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Hore has set up a 1,144-strong nomad vigilante militia in Nassarawa, ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.

“Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have the power to do such a thing.”

It, therefore, considered the action of the Department of State Services (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.

“The organisation expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would give the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria.

“The meeting renewed its call on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to further encourage the teaching and usage of Yoruba language in schools,” the group stated.

Meanwhile, the organisation condoled with Ondo State people over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

It congratulated the people on the inauguration of Lucky OrimisanAiyedatiwa as new governor of the state and also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his role in resolving issues in the state.

The group expressed shock over the blast in Ibadan and condoled with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident. It also commiserated with the people of Plateau State over the attack on their communities by terrorists.

At the end of the meeting, Afenifere urged members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organisation stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project the organisation further in their respective states.

Afenifere sacks Ayo Adebanjo as acting leader