After 13 years of vibrant political activism, Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti yesterday stepped down as Leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group.
Fasoranti who cited old age as a major reason for his step down also announced a prominent political activist, Chief Ayo Adebanjo as his successor and acting national leader of the association.
Similarly, he named former financial secretary, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago, Atakumosa East Council Area, Ilesa, Osun state as the group’s deputy leader.
Fasoranti was made the leader of the group in the year 2008.
He said the development became necessary “as the group needs more than ever before to have an improved organisation with a more effective approach to combat the monstrous invasion of our culture and pride as a people.
“Only a more alike and active leadership can achieve this. At 95 I am hardly able to provide such and so it is time for me to step aside. “At this junction, I am proud to announce Chief Ayo Adebanjo a politician of the Awolowo school of thought as Acting leader of Afenifere and His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, as the Deputy Leader.
At this point, let me take a break and make an important point. Whatever has been achieved by Afenifere has been by collective leadership, the leader ‘in Afenifere works according to the leadership model.
In this respect, I want to pay special tribute to all my colleagues in Afenifere most especially two of them. ‘Late chief Olaniwun Ajayi and my good brother and friend Chief Ayo Adebanjo they both worked so hard to keep Afenifere up the times of the travails.
The passage of Chief Olaniwun Ajayi did not impact negatively on the commitment of Chief Ayo Adebanjo towards all that Afenifere stands for. May he continue to bless the memory of Chief Olaniwun Ajayi. He shall continue to be a beacon of light for the upcoming generations of Afenifere and the Yoruba race at large.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo efforts stand him out as a deep lover of Afenifere and the Yoruba people. He has been in the trenches all his life.”
In the communiqué released after the meeting, the group called on all governors of the South-Weet states to give the South-West Security Network code named Amotekun, the necessary bite to carry out its duties.
The Yoruba leaders also called of the Federal Government to set motion in process in having state police in Nigeria, saying it’s crucial for checking the rising insecurity in the country.
They reasoned that the argument that governors would abuse the opportunity of state police, the group said such issues would be resolved as they I merged.
The group also called on the Federal Government and lawmakers to work on how to restructure the nation.
It warned that “if this is not properly addressed it could be end of Nigeria.”
Several members of the group from all states in the region, including Kwara State, attended the meeting.