Afenifere Removes Adebanjo as Acting Leader in Restructuring Move

• Afenifere has dissolved the roles of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader, aiming to reposition and rejuvenate the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization
• The responsibilities of advising the leader will now be vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus, as the organization calls for urgent security reforms

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, has dissolved the role of Acting Leader held by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as part of its efforts to reposition the prominent Southwest group.

Chief Adebanjo assumed the position of acting leader after Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the patriarch of Afenifere, stepped down from the position, citing old age.

During a meeting at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure on Wednesday, the leaders unanimously passed a motion to abolish acting and deputy leader positions. Dr. S.J Ibikunle from Ogun State initially moved the motion, seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo, and Ondo States.

The leaders announced that the responsibilities and authority of advising the group’s leader would now be vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus.

“In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided as follows: the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader have now been abrogated.”

“The responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus, which is hereby constituted,” they declared.

In a post-meeting statement, Afenifere reiterated its call for an urgent overhaul of the country’s security architecture to ensure the safety of Nigerians. The organization proposed empowering states and local government councils to establish their own police services, aiming to curb kidnapping and banditry.

Addressing the recent explosion in Ibadan, Afenifere underscored the need to allow federating units to control mineral resources in their respective areas, particularly in mining and exploration. The group argued that decentralized control could have prevented the tragic blast in Ibadan.

Reiterating its call for the country’s restructuring, Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate processes that support regional development. The group expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to genuine federalism and democratic principles.