Afenifere gets new leader after Adebanjo’s death

• The appointment follows the death of its immediate past leader, late Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who recently passed away at the age of 97.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has appointed a new leader to manage  its affairs.

The appointment follows the death of its immediate past leader, late Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who recently passed away at the age of 97.

The former deputy leader of the organisation, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, will now take over the mantle of leadership.

Olaitan’s appointment is contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of the group held at late Adebanjo’s residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State on Tuesday.

The communique was made available by the Secretary General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, in Akure, Ondo State.

According to the communique, Olaitan would function as the leader in an acting capacity and after the final burial of Adebanjo, he would assume the office as substantive leader.

The communique read, “Meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new leader of Afenifere. He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years serving in various capacities including the National Financial Secretary under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Deputy Leader under Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

“Oba Olaitan will function as the leader in acting capacity till after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo when he will assume the office as substantive leader.”

In the communique, the group decried the state of security in the country, urging state governments and the security agencies to be more proactive on the matter.

“Afenifere decried the worsening security situation in the country. Members received reports of a young man, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the videos of whose ordeal, in the den of kidnappers have been on social media for almost a week.

“The meeting called on the governments of Ondo and Kogi States around which common boundaries the kidnapping was reported to have taken place and the relevant security agencies to act without further delay and ensure the rescue and safety of the young man,” it added.