…Reiterates call for State Police
In its bid to halt further polarisation within its rank and forge a formidable united front, Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has scrapped the position of ‘acting leader’ and ‘deputy leader’ in the group. The two positions were hitherto held by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan respectively.
The decision was reached at the monthly meeting of Afenifere held at the country home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
This was contained in a communique issued on Wednesday by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said.
At the instance of the leader, Pa Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, was mandated to preside over the meeting.
According to the communique, the motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of acting leader and deputy leader was moved by a 92-year-old professor of surgery, Samuel Ibikunle from Ogun State and seconded by Dr Niyi lkuomelo from Ondo.
Professor lbikunle, while moving the motion said that: “based on the report of the reconciliation committee, that it has reached a dead end and is unable to achieve reconciliation, l, Prof Samuel lbikunle of Ogun state Afenifere, hereby move that the offices of the acting leader and deputy leader should be dissolved into an Afenifere Elders Caucus to be constituted by the leader.”
The communique reads, “A motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State. It was seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States.
“When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried.
“Flowing from this, the Leader then declared as follows that ‘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 has 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.
“Members of the Elders Caucus are as follow: Chief R. F. Fasoranti – Chairman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, HRM Oba Olu Falae, HE Senator C O Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa rtd, Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Samuel Ibikunle, Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Prof Ropo Sekoni, Hon Lekan Alabi and Dr Kunle Olajide.’”
Also, the group, in the communique, condoled the people of Ondo State over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The group equally resolved that “there is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.
“Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such.
“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.”
The communique further said, “The meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Hore set up a 1,144-strong Nomad Vigilante militia in Nassarawa ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.
“Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have power to do a thing like that.
“It therefore considered the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.”
Pa Fasoranti, at the close of the meeting, encouraged Afenifere members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organisation stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project Afenifere further in their respective states.
Present at the meeting were Prof Ropo Sekoni, Otunbo Kole Omololu, former governor Olusegun Mimiko; former Osun deputy governor, lyiola Omisore; Dare Babarinsa, Agbakin Ademola Folarin, Pastor Bola Bolawole, Chief lmam of Yorubaland, Abduraheem Aduranigba, among others.
