Afenifere Tv/radio

31/01/2024

25/01/2024

Afenifere is Yoruba first agenda, any other thing is secondary!

24/01/2024

BREAKING NEWS: Pa AYO ADEBANJO SACKED

*COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AFENIFERE GENERAL MEETING THAT HELD AT THE AKURE RESIDENCE OF THE LEADER, PA REUBEN FASORANTI, OFR, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024*.

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, held its first general meeting in the new year in the Akure home of the Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR.

After the opening prayer, The Leader, Pa Fasoranti, welcomed members and congratulated everyone for surviving the year 2023. He prayed for a successful 2024 and beyond.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from various State Chapters of Afenifere.
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 thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried.
Flowing from this, the Leader then declared as follows:
"In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided as follow:
1. The position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader have now been abrogated.
2. 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:
1. Chief R. F. Fasoranti - Chairman
2.Chief Ayo Adebanjo
3. HRM Oba Olu Falae CFR GCON
4. HE Senator C O Adebayo
5. Senator Femi Okunrounmu PhD CFR
6. Basorun Seinde Arogbofa OFR
7. Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele
8. Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu
9. Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade rtd CFR
10. Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa rtd CFR
11. Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi CFR
12. Prof Banji Akintoye
13. Otunba Dr S A J Ibikunle
14. Chief Femi Aluko
15. Prince Alonge
16. Dr Yomi Finnih
17. Prince Olusi.
18. Hon Korede Duyile.
19. Prof Ropo Sekoni
20. Hon Lekan Alabi
21. Dr Kunle Olajide
Afterwards, further deliberations commenced.
At the instance of the Leader, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olu Falae, presided over the meeting.
Participants condoled the people of Ondo State over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The meeting also congratulated the people on the inauguration of Otunba Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as new Governor of the state just as participants lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his role in resolving the earlier impasse following the call by Ondo State Elders, under the auspices of Pa Fasoranti to do so.

Participants expressed shock over the blast that occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 14, 2024 and condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident. They also commiserated with the people of Plateau State over the attack on their communities by terrorists.

The meeting then deliberated on issues affecting the organization, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. Among the issues discussed were the state of the nation with particular reference to the socio-economic and security situations in the country. Restructuring as a means towards a new lease of life and a better Nigeria was also discussed.

After comprehensive deliberations, the meeting then resolved as follow:

1. 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.
2. The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration. The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatized hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira would have been prevented.
3. To facilitate the issues in 1 and 2 above, Afenifere again reiterated that the time for Restructuring the country is NOW. It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose. The organization took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal.
4. The meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah H**e 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.
5. The meeting expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be giving the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria. Among the means of achieving this are taking steps that would strengthen the value of our currency, the Naira, reduce costs of energy (fuel in particular) through local production of petroleum products as well as regular supply of electricity.
6. In view of the current high cost of living, Afenifere urged the Federal Government, through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies, to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, reduce costs of items and services all geared towards reducing inflation and enhancing the welfare of the people.
7. The meeting renewed its call on governments in Yoruba speaking states to further encourage the teaching and usage of Yoruba language in schools. This can be done by making the language the medium for teaching at elementary and lower level of secondary education as well as making it compulsory for students at school certificate examination level. It also urged parents and guardians to teach their children the language as well as encourage its usage as much as possible both in verbal and literary communications.

At the end of the meeting, The Leader encouraged Afenifere members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organization stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project Afenifere further in their respective states. He prayed for the success of government at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.

Signed:
Comrade Jare Ajayi
National Publicity Secretary, *Afenifere* Worldwide.

03/01/2024

BREAKING NEWS:

The new governor of Ondo state His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa paid homage to the leader of Afenifere Chief Rueben Famuyide Fasoranti in house in Akure Ondo state capital. He came to express gratitude to the leader and the group for the dinstiguished and noble role they played to institute the rule of law during the political crisis in the state.
Among the Afenifere leaders in the state who joined the leader to welcome him are
HRM Oba Olu Falae CFR GCON
Basorun Seinde Arogbofa OFR
Abagun Kole Omololu National Organising secretary Afenifere
Chief Iman of Akure. Alhaji Akorede.
Chief Korede Duyile, Chairman Afenifere Ondo state.
Prof Olu Aderounmu
Rt Hon Bakita Bello former Speaker ondo state.

03/12/2023

An Open letter to Afenifere under the Leaderships of Pa Fashoranti
Suggestion/ideas on Reformations Agenda for Nigeria & Southwest Govts
Recently in Germany for the G20 summit, President Tinubu said Nigerians voted him to office to reform the system and Nigerians have started seen the steps the President is taken to reform the system.
The question is what kinds of Reformations do we need in Southwestern states and in Nigeria at large.

I. Ideas/Suggestions on Reforms within the Southwest

• We suggest kinds of Resemblance of Governances, Development and Common Wealth Assets across the Southwestern states. On Security; We suggest a single security architecture with the establishment of AMOTEKUN to continue. We advocate for southwest govts to have single architectural development in education, healthcare, Road, Power etc. On development & Common Wealth Assets: We advocate the whole Southwest States govts to come together, and pull their resource to champion projects like Rail infrastructure development across the southwestern states, Ondo State seaport, roads etc. Finally, The Southwest Economy Agendas over the years should be revamped and put into reality

II. Ideas/Suggestions for Nigeria Reformations

A. Converting current 6 geopolitical zones into full independent Regions:
The 6 current geopolitical zones Should be converted into full independent regions (Northwest, Northeast, North Central, Southwest, South-South, Southeast)
B. Land ownership:
Local government and Region should control the land in their domain and territory. But more control should be vested within the local government
C. Citizenship:
Indigenous-ship vs Nigeria citizenship. local government and regional government should retain their indigenous-ship right why the federal government should control Nigeria citizenship.
Local government and regional governments should determine local elections and regional elections. But all Nigerians regardless where they reside should be free to participate in federal elections.
D. Resources Control:
• Resource Control: the local government should retain 40%, Regional 20% and federal government: 40%
E. Exclusive Powers
• Federal Govt/ Regions should control the Military, Immigrations, Customs, Foreign Polices etc
• Police system; We should have regional police, Local govt police and federal police.
F. Creating new local govt/Adjustment
Local govt should be resized base on the outcome of National Census Data in every 10yrs.
the regions should have the power to create local governments but the National Assembly should help to design the requirements, processes and procedures. E.g. Population of 1m people should be benched marked for a local government creation
G. Devolution of Powers:
The current presidential structure can still be retained but more powers should be transferred to the local governments than regional and federal government.
H. Referendums
Referendum should be included in Nigeria constitution. Referendum on local government creation, new region creation and A region that wants exit the union from the country

From Concern Omo Yoruba Worldwide

• Comrade Idowu M Gafari-ADEYINKA (Member)
• Comrade Folarin Adesida (Secretary)

03/12/2023

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR sat at the feet of Afenifere/ Yoruba leader Pa Ruben Fasoranti OFR with him is Basorun Seinde Arogbofa OFR in Akure home.

21/11/2023

Only Yorubas who are of the progressive bent can be members of Afenifere. And that does not mean we'll not fight for those who do not agree with us if they have problems. The political and social orientation of the organisation make it so.

An Afenifere member believes, first, in the wellbeing of the less privileged. We believe in the development of our land. We believe in the survival of society ahead of any individual ambition or goal. We'll NEVER sacrifice the communal good for individual progress. Our society must thrive. It is only then that any individual can truly thrive.

20/11/2023

19/11/2023

AFENIFERE OGUN STATE.
Meeting held at Asoludero Hall, Sagamu Ogun state.
Sunday 19th November 2023.

Communique

1. We reaffirm our commitment to the unity and development of Yorubaland.

2. We need to act like the eagle to monitor economic and social development by the tiers of Government in our land.

3. We remain resolute that Chief Reuben Fasoranti is our leader. In the same vein, we also appreciate all our leaders, living and dead, for their progressive disposition towards the development of Yorubaland.

4. Afenifere is the second oldest political group in Africa, as South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) is the first one. We pledge to continue in the ways of our founding fathers notably, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

5. We reaffirm that Nigeria needs to be restructured so that the Yoruba Nation can achieve its full potentials.

6. There is need to engage with Baales and Obas about the indiscriminate sale of land to non-indigenes.

7. We'll work with those concerned to reinvigorate the speaking of Yoruba Language among our young children. Our language must be cherished. We must protect and promote Yoruba Language.

8. Yoruba culture and traditions must also be cherished. We'll work towards ensuring that Yoruba culture and traditions are not trampled under foot.

9. We'll work with relevant stakeholders to ensure security for our people in the face of harassment and killing of rural farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen, for instance in Imeko Afon Local Government

19/11/2023

Afenifere Ogun State Chapter

18/11/2023

*Jakande was sentenced to jail just like his boss, Awolowo. But Jakande was crying in the court not because of himself but for Awolowo.*

When Awolowo saw him, approached him and asked him "why crying for only me..." Jakande replied, "I don't mind going to jail and even adding your terms to mine, why South West, why is it that the only Premier in Nigeria that will be jailed is the Premier of my Region?".

Awolowo replied, "Dry your tears, God sometimes keeps his own away from when danger is approaching...."
And that was what happened! The reason why Nigeria didn't break in 1967 was Obafemi Awolowo.

Gowon said, "I needed him badly more than I needed the Nigerian Army".....Why? Two reasons;
1. The original rallying point of the Yoruba was Awolowo. If Yoruba supported the breakup, no Jupiter can stop it. Therefore, to keep Nigeria one, Awolowo must endorse it!!!!
2. The wisdom of Awolowo was unequaled, unparalleled, and unrivaled. His wisdom must not be on the side of the rebel, Nigeria would not survive without it.

No wonder the two Warriors Gowon and Ojukwu said and I quote; "I am the luckiest ruler of Nigeria because the best Nigeria asset in person of Chief Awolowo was my Vice Chairman and Finance Commissioner..."- Gowon. "Chief Awolowo is the best President of Nigeria that never was..."- Ojukwu. Need I say more?

Murtala Mohammed had ensured in his Transition Programme that Shehu Shagari would not contest but after his death, OBJ relaxed the rules.....Shagari was allowed to contest and won but in 1984, Buhari stopped Shagari again, describing his election as "shamelessly rigged".......

NCNC was the popular Party in Lagos. They always won Lagos. And Awolowo's Action Group would have lost in 1954 if not for Madam Abibatu Mogaji the mother of JAGABAN who mobilized the Lagos women for AG!

THE SECRET OF AWOLOWO...
Awolowo deliberately spent a lot of money in establishing exclusive investments for the Western Region where he thought the SW Progressive Politics would be financed. He said, "SW need a stable source of funds to fight politically because poor people cannot fight the Central Government...".

No one knew this secret until his Deputy had issues with Awolowo and leaked the secret to the opponent. He told them "fight Awolowo from now till forever, if you didn't destroy the Western Nigerian Investments, SW will always be buoyant financially and they will fight you and win you...." Wow!!!!! That was the end!!!

From that time, to cut the story short, SW was targeted! AWO was accused of fraud. Investments converted to Full state investment and later Odu'a Investment. And later, during the military regime, there was a time when all SW governors were non-Yorubas, Odu'a investment was crushed. Cold dead! But LAGOS of Tinubu reinvested the progressive interest in a more sophisticated way.

MAY THE SECRET OF LAGOS NOT BE LEAKED THE WAY ENEMIES LEAKED THE SECRET OF SW!!! The Story of Progressive Politics in Nigeria since 1954 had its Genesis from Awolowo's Palm Tree which, After processing, has its revelation from Tinubu's Broom!!!
No more No less!

We must never forget the families of Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Jakande, Bisi Onabanjo, Bola Ige, Adekunle Ajasin, Ambrose Ali, Adebayo, JS Olawoyin, Anthony Enahoro, Abraham Adesanya, S.O Gbadamosi, Bode Thomas.....These are the first generation of progressive politicians who played progressive politics for life!!!
UP AWO!!!!

Simple but Notable. When Awolowo arrived in Lagos from Calabar Prison, after meeting with Gowon, it was Murtala Mohammed who voluntarily drove Awolowo home, in his car. Murtala described the gesture(driving Awolowo) as a privilege!!!����

Gossip House

17/11/2023

Past and Present leaders of Afenifere

16/11/2023

Good morning Omoluwabi Worldwide, welcome once again to your favourite channel.

14/11/2023

Afenifere is one indivisible body, the 2nd Oldest political organisation after ANC of South Africa in Africa. Obafemi Awolowo was the the 1st leader, Pa Adekunle Ajasin became leader, after the death of Awo. Senator Jonathan Odebiyi acted for Pa Ajasin when the leader Was ailing. Senator Jonathan Odebiyi too ailed during the period and died then Senator Abraham Adesanya was asked to chair Meetings in the name and home of the leader in Owo, as tradition dictates. The leader died. Pa Adesanya became the Substantive leader. Meetings moved to his home at Ijebu Igbo. He felt sick as a result of stroke, he appointed Chief Reuben Famuyide Fashoranti, OFR as acting leader. Fasoranti chaired Meetings in the name and in the home of the, leader Abraham Adesanya. Every Meetings, every pronouncements and every act were done in the name of the leader untill he was called to glory.
To make Fasoranti the Substantive leader, a General meeting was called at Ijebu Igbo, late Baba Omojola ( London school of Economist & political science University of London, 1st class trained economist) proposed Pa Fasoranti nomination, it was seconded by HE Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka.
The general meeting then elected Fasoranti. Meetings thus moved to the home of the now SUBSTANTIVE Leader at Akure.
After the slaughtering of OlufunkeFasoranti- Olakunrin by the Fulani Terrorists, Papa Fasoranti decided to take it easy. He appointed Chief Ayo Adebanjo as Acting leader in writting, and doccumented in Afenifere records through a public communique and oba Diipo Olaitan as deputy leader.
Afenifere operate in the strictess Yoruba Tradition of olori ebi. The leader is like a king. No King is present untill the reigning one WAJA.

Please note.
ALL AFENIFERE LEADERS ARE ELECTED BY THE GENERAL HOUSE.
AFTER BABA AWOLOWO, H.E Bisi Onabanjo proposed baba Ajasin.
H.E, Bola Ige proposed Baba Adesanya.
Baba Omojola proposed Baba Fasoranti. Election can only take place after the demise of the leader. The leader can step aside for an Acting leader but he remains the leader untill death. Every actions is in his name and in his abode.
"YORUBA IS A NATION NOT A PEOPLE"

Good morning omoluabis.
Abagun Kole Omololu.
National Organising secretary Afenifere

01/04/2023

Breaking news: All the Yoruba royal fathers recognise Pa Ruben Fasoranti as the authentic Afenifere leader says Olugbon of Orile-Igbon

29/03/2023

Breaking News: “Ayo Adebanjo has no right to suspend my officers” says Pa Fashronti

*AFENIFERE IS A LAW-ABIDING ORGANISATION*
– PA FASORANTI*

“My attention has been drawn to the Communique purportedly issued after a meeting that held on Tuesday, March 27, at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. This statement is being issued because of the content of the said document.
Section 2.02 of the document claims that “the results of the lawful votes at the Presidential election available to the Afenifere through credible sources confirm that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won the said election”.
Afenifere could not have asserted that someone, other than the person declared by the body duly authorized by the Constitution and other extant laws of the land, is the winner of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023 in Nigeria.
The body mandated to conduct elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after the completion of this year’s presidential election on February 25th, has declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner of the said election. Our National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, issued a congratulatory message to the President-elect after he had been issued a Certificate of Return by INEC. This was cited as an ‘uncouth activity’ by the Communique mentioned above which further stated that Abagun and Ajayi were ‘suspended sine die pending further decisions after their appearance before and recommendations by the Disciplinary Committee’. Meaning that the two were pronounced guilty and consequently sanctioned even before their appearance before a Disciplinary Committee.
This type of position is alien to us in Afenifere which does not conduct itself as an agent of the state let alone as an electoral umpire. We accept the results of the elections at all levels as declared by INEC until otherwise decided by competent courts in the land.
Presently, the whole world knows that Nigeria has a President-elect in person of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a true Yoruba son and nationalist. We in Afenifere not only acknowledge this, we take delight in his in-coming Presidency and are confident that he will, by the grace of God, return Nigeria to the glorious position that all of us will be proud. Which was why I also congratulated in a personal letter I sent to him.
The whole world is aware that I personally blessed and anointed Ahmed Bola Tinubu on October 30, 2022 in the presence of notable people from all parts of Yorubaland right here in my place in Akure. How can we then turn round and condemn the election of such a person? We never did.”
I also read in the said Communique, the purported removal and suspension of the National Publicity Secretary and the National Organising Secretary of the organization in persons of Comrade Jare Ajayi and Abagun Kole Omololu.
“At no time was any of these officials reported to me as doing anything against what Afenifere stands for or doing anything against the interests of our race, the Yoruba. Thus, at no time was I informed that they were queried, warned or sanctioned for conducting themselves in a manner contrary to what Afenifere or the Yorubas stand for.
“Being an organization that believes in justice and fairness, being an organization that always maintains that those at the helms of affairs should follow the rule of law, Afenifere, our organization, cannot just wake up and pronounce some officials removed and suspended without telling them what their offences are and without giving them the opportunities to defend themselves.
“Such a step is not only against natural justice; it is also in clear defiance of the law of the land. Afenifere believes in the rule of law and in the fundamental rights of all, including right to fair hearing. For these and other reasons, the purported removal and suspension are null and void. The two officials should be commended rather than condemned for the selfless services they are rendering to Afenifere, to the Yoruba race and to Nigeria and humanity. They are hereby so commended”.
*Chief R. F. Fasoranti, OFR*
*The Leader, Afenifere*
Wednesday, March 28, 2023.

15/03/2023

Afenifere Congratulates President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu

30/06/2022

19/12/2021

04/11/2021

Join me tomorrow on my live program on Friday 5th November 2021 at 6pm London time for an interview with Afenifere Chieftain Chief Mogaji Adejumo.

29/04/2021

Afenifere Turns 70 Today, Laments Insecurity Nationwide

• Asks citizens to pray for peace, restructured nation
• Pays tribute to Awolowo, other founding fathers

Afenifere, the apex socio-cultural organisation for Yoruba people worldwide, turns 70 today amid the spate of banditry, kidnapping and insecurity nationwide, a grave condition which it said, compelled it to reschedule its programmes for the anniversary.

Consequently, Afenifere directed Muslim members and well wishers across the federation to observe worships on Friday, April 30 in mosques while the Christian counterparts were enjoined to attend service at designated churches determined by state chapters on Sunday, May 2.

It revealed this plan in a statement its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan co-signed with Chairman of Afenifere Organising Committee, Chief Supo Shonibare; Chief Korede Duyile; Dr. Femi Balogun; Chief Kole Omololu; Hon. Lekan Alabi and Mr. Tijani Babatunde yesterday.

While it observed its 70th anniversary called for grand celebration as already scheduled, it said what it did not plan took over its programmes outlined to commemorate the birth of progressivism in Southwest.

It said the second wave of COVID 19 and the mayhem by herdsmen and the spate of kidnapping in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general “have made us to reappraise the programme in the light of present realities.”

As a responsible organisation, Afenifere said it could not afford to undertake all the events scheduled for the 70th anniversary, thus enjoining all its chapters “to observe Moslem worships in mosques on Friday, 30th April 2021.”

Likewise, it noted that Christians “are enjoined to attend service at the designated Churches determined by state chapters on Sunday, 2nd May 2021 to pray for peace and a restructured nation and for the health of mind and body for our people. Well-wishers are also enjoined to join them.

“At a more auspicious time in the not too distant future, when the security and health challenges must have abated, we shall announce the dates for the other programmes such as colloquium and lecture, essay competition for undergraduates & anniversary dinner and cultural festivities.”

The organisation, also, commended the Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other founding fathers for “establishing a powerful political movement that changed the face of politics in Africa forever.”

Giving background to its establishment, Afenifere explained how its founding fathers publicly the Action Group, now defunct, at a press conference that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State on the 21st March 1951

Although many were invited, According to the organisation, those who turned up apart from the Convener were Chief Abiodun Akerele, Chief S.O. Shonibare, Chief Ayo Akinsanya, Chief Olatunji Dosunmu, Mr Samuel Akinsanya, Chief J.O. Adigun and Chief S.T. Oredein.

It said: “These eight men, led by Chief Awolowo, were the founding fathers of Action Group (Egbe Afenifere). The party was inaugurated in Owo, on the 28th April 1951 with leaders from 22 out of the 24 administrative divisions in Western Region in attendance.

“Today, being the 28th April is the 70th anniversary of that epic event. We are most indebted for the enduring legacy bestowed upon the progressive political strand in the Southwest by the efforts of these founding fathers and all the other leaders in attendance at Owo on the 28th April 1951.”

Just after its establishment, Afenifere noted that the party called for an immediate end to British rule and for the development of several social welfare programs.

In 1951, according to the organisation, the party won the Western Region election and instituted revolutionary programmes like free education and health.

It, therefore, commended the efforts of the founding fathers upon whose shoulders the succeeding leaders “now stand to gaze at a better future to bequeath to the coming generations. With its motto as life more abundant, Afenifere turned Western Nigeria to a model of development.”

07/04/2021

AFENIFERE DENIES ENDORSING PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT

Afenifere, the Southwest based socio-political group has denied supporting presidential bid of any aspirant for the 2023 presidential election.

This is coming on the heels of a viral statement by the leader of South West Agenda , SWAGA, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, purporting that his group secured support of Afenifere for its candidate during a visit to Pa Ruben Fasoranti, erstwhile Afenifere leader , during the week.

However , Afenifere, in a statement by its Director of Communications, Sola Lawal, stated that the group was still mourning the demise of its late Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin in whose honour the group suspended all engagements.

Lawal also pointed out that 96 year old Pa Fasoranti has taken a "deserved rest when he formally handed over to Chief Ayo Adebanjo three weeks ago after leading the group for 12 years and so the former couldn't have spoken for Afenifere during the SWAGA visit to his Akure home."

The group further said it has temporarily halted all activities in honour of Odumakin who is still lying in the morgue, cold and lonely.

" The Adeyeye foray into Afenifere space at this period of huge loss and intense mourning is disrespectful , insensitive and unwarranted ", Lawal said.

" Being a former Afenifere top notch and, infact , Odumakin's immediate predecessor in office as spokesperson for Afenifere, Adeyeye should cease all activities and join us in mourning at this trying times" Lawal said.

03/04/2021

ASIWAJU CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF YINKA ODUMAKIN

PRESS STATEMENT

YINKA ODUMAKIN: PREMATURE
DEPARTURE OF A BRIGHT STAR

Like millions of Nigerians, I received with profound shock the news of the death early this morning of Mr. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Afenifere, committed fighter for democracy, dedicated civil society activist, courageous and outspoken defender of whatever ideals and principles he believed in and a patriotic citizen in every sense of the word.
Ever since his student days, Odumakin had been fearless and unrelenting in speaking up in promoting the cause of justice and what he perceived as the best interest of the citizens of Nigeria. He participated actively at the forefront in the various students and youth struggles against successive military dictatorships in the 1980s and 1990s. In the process, he was arrested, harassed and even detained several times. Yet, he never allowed himself to succumb to tyranny or be pressured into submissive and pliant silence.

In the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the perpetuation of military dictatorship, Odumakin was never found wanting. He was at the vanguard of the battle even at the risk of his life and liberty. It is impossible to credibly tell the story of the emergence of the democracy we enjoy in this dispensation today without emblazoning Odumakin’s name in gold. He was a doughty fighter for freedom and the rule of law. He was rock solid in his commitment to Afenifere, the Yoruba people and the several other civil society groups in which he played active roles.

Odumakin never held public office. But he has been a constant feature and part of our public consciousness over the last two decades of this unbroken democratic dispensation. He epitomized the true definition of the citizen; a patriot who was ever conscious of the fact that his life could not be complete or his humanity meaningful if he did not take an active interest in and join likeminded fellow citizens in seeking always to promote the common good of his community and country.

In the course of the last two and a half decades, Odumakin and I had cause to collaborate in various organizations and in pursuit of different political causes at different times and I can testify to his capacity for hard work, his brilliance, his tenacity in his loyalty to his cherished principles. Even if we differed politically, I had no cause to doubt his sincerity in charting his chosen path. He will forever remain a model of what a citizen who places the good of his country above his personal interest could be. For, given his talents and abilities, Odumakin could easily have opted to focus on his personal welfare and that of his family rather than embroil himself in the several struggles he dedicated his life to.

It is certainly not fortuitous that his wife, the indefatigable Amazon, Dr Joe Odumakin, was Yinka’s comrade in struggle and active collaborator in fighting for justice, liberty and the dignity of the underprivileged. They were iconic soul mates in the ceaseless battle for a better and greater Nigeria.

I join millions of Nigerians in condoling with Dr. Odumakin and her family in this sad hour. May God comfort and strengthen them even as they take solace in the massive outpouring of grief nationwide at Yinka’s painful passage.

I also express my heartfelt condolences to Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere leader, and all other leaders and members of Afenifere as well as all Yinka’s associates in the civil society movement. His life vividly demonstrates once again, in the immortal words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo that “it is not life that matters but the courage you bring into it” and that it is not how long we live but how well and productively that matters. Odumakin is gone. But he lives on in the memory of millions of his compatriots. May his soul rest in peace.

SIGNED
ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU