Afenifere: Group protest, ask Adebanjo to step down as leader
Youths of pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, on Tuesday, protested in Akure, asking acting leader of the body, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, to step down.
The protesters also stormed the Akure residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti to wade in and rescue Afenifere.
Pa Fasonranti, had in 2021, cited old age as reason for his stepping down as leader of the group he led since 2008.
Fasoranti named Pa Adebanjo as Acting Leader of the body but crisis crept in over the choice of whose presidential candidate to support.
Adebanjo backed Peter Obi of the Labour Party while Fasoranti backed Senator Bola Tinubu.
The protesters under the auspices of Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria (YAYON) carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Pa Fasonranti, please rescue Afenifere”. “Ayo Adebanjo must go.” “Revoke the mandate you gave to Adebanjo.” “Adebanjo, time to step aside,” amongst others.
Leader of the protesters, Comrade Eric Oluwole, said an ultimatum would soon be issued to Adebanjo to step down.
Besides the stepping down of Pa Adebanjo, Comrade Oluwole said Afenifere’s meeting ought to be held in Akure since Pa Fasonranti was still alive.
Comrade Oluwole said they want sanity restored to the body.
According to him: “We want to create this strong awareness to the Yoruba Nation that the vote of no confidence on Pa Adebanjo still stand. We cannot allow one leader jeopardise out future.
“We called on Adebanjo to step down. Baba only wrote him a letter to step in as Afenifere Acting Leader . He should step down. We are part of Afenifere.
“We need sanity within Afenifere. He mentioned that Fasoranti cannot talk to but we believe that we the youths can talk to him.
“Afenifere is passing through internal crisis. Adebanjo sanctioned two National Officers because they made statements in the papers.
“Adebanjo is using political inner mind to cause crisis. He cannot suspend National Officers without reference to Baba.”
Another protester, Bukola Veronica, said they no longer recognise Adebanjo as Acting Leader of Afenifere.
Pa Fasonranti who spoke through his Chief Security Officer, Sunday Ogunkalu, assured the protesters that he would looked into their demands.
He appealed to them to conduct themselves peacefully.
