February 28, 2025
The UK and US Chapters of Afenifere have released a statement debunking claims that Oba Olaitan Oladapo has emerged as a leader of any faction of Afenifere.
According to the statements released on Friday made available to TYT, dismisses misleading claim of Oba Olaitan as the news head of Afenifere
“Its insult to the respected institution of Afenifere” the group mentioned
“Afenifere remains a structured and principled organization under the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a respected elder statesman.” Group said
The statement emphasizes that it is against Yoruba culture and values for younger individuals to ridicule elders or attempt to usurp the authority of established leaders.
The statement notes that those parading themselves as a faction of Afenifere are nothing but political opportunists.
“If they wish to form another group, they are free to do so, but they must desist from dragging Afenifere’s name into their personal ambitions.
“Afenifere has always been a movement dedicated to the well-being of the Yoruba people within Nigeria, championing justice, fairness, and good governance. The idea of a faction claiming to represent Afenifere while acting in direct opposition to its founding principles is absurd.” The statement reads
The statement calls on such individuals to educate themselves on the rich history of Afenifere instead of engaging in reckless political games. As the Yoruba saying goes, “Atubọ osika kó dá”, treachery never ends well.
The statement also calls on Governor Ademola Adeleke to warn Oba Olaitan Oladapo against involving himself in Afenifere’s affairs in a destructive manner. Traditional rulers are expected to be custodians of peace and unity, not instruments of division within revered socio-political structures.
It is beneath the dignity of an Oba to be used as a tool to destabilise an organisation that has fought tirelessly for Yoruba progress. The statement also calls on the leader Pa RF Fasoranti to kindly stop tolerating the antics of Oba Olaitan by summarily expelling him from the group.
The statement notes that Oba Olaitan was appointed deputy leader on the 16th of March 2021, but since then, he has not set his foot in the leader’s house in Akure nor attended any meetings.
