YORUBA AFENIFERE YOUTH GROUPS ISSUES VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON AYO ADEBANJO .... Says Pa Fasoranti Remains Afenifere Global Leader As There Can Never Be Two Kings In A Palace

“All well-meaning leaders and members of Afenifere should queue behind the National Leader of Afenifere worldwide, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti, is still alive and his pronouncement on any issue remained final on behalf of Afenifere in general.” Yoruba Afenifere Youths.

“In our history, it has never been heard in Yoruba history that there exist two kings in a Palace. Eewo orisa!

"“Therefore, Pa Dr. Reuben Fasoranti remains the only legally recognised Leader of Afenifere.

The Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organization of Nigeria, YAYON, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 reacted to issues that have been identified as critically capable of affecting the historical roots of Afenifere ideology, the recent disturbing developments, and the future of Yoruba youths.

YAYON, in a communiqué issued after a joint session of Afenifere Youth National leaders in Yoruba land, Kogi and Kwara States, reached some decisions that are aimed at restructuring, restrengthening and rebuilding the Yoruba nation.

In its communiqué, YAYON noted that Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba cultural group, “was formed 72 years ago as an influential socio-cultural group and voice to lawfully defend and promote first and foremost, the interest of the Yoruba People within the Nigerian Federation.

"Commendably, all past Afenifere Leaders starting with the revered Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and including Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya, all of blessed memory, and the present Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, have sustained this philosophy. Notably, these illustrious Leaders in their exemplary, committed and principled leadership, worked tirelessly to make Afenifere a most influential voice widely respected within and outside the Nigerian Federation, and indeed the arrowhead of all popular struggles to build Nigeria into a better, true and balanced Federation where Justice and equity will prevail for all. 

The communiqué was signed by Comrade Eric Oluwole, National Youth Leader, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria; Ojo Bright I. Eniafe, Spokesman, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria. Others are; Adewale Adeyemo, Secretary, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria; Lekan Wilki, Chairman, Yoruba Youths Alliance; Abiodun Rosanwo, Leader, Yoruba Youth Community Policing; Yinka Adedugbe, Congress of Yoruba Youths and, Raufu Jimoh, Yoruba Youth Movement.

It noted that, “Sadly, Afenifere began to derail from this long-held philosophy as soon as our father, Baba Ayo Adebanjo took up the position of Acting Leader when he abandoned the uncompromising pursuit and defense, first and foremost of the interest of the Yoruba people for whatever reasons.

“We noted sadly too, that rather than rally the Yoruba People behind their son, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, now the President-Elect of Nigeria, to emerge as the President of this Great Country, Baba Adebanjo campaigned vigorously against him, and even after his well deserving and hard earned victory through a credible Presidential Election, he still wants the Presidency out of Yorubaland. Omo eni o se'di bebere, k'a f'ileke si t'omo elomiran.

“We noted for the purpose of clarity, that Pa. Ayo Adebanjo is not the Leader of Afenifere; but the Acting Leader authorised by Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

“We make bold to say that the action of making Pa Adebanjo the Acting National Leader, is in line with the precedence in our rich history.

“For proper understanding of the nexus, we recount that when our revered late Leader, Pa. Abraham Adesanya wanted to delegate power due to his ill health, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti was appointed Acting Leader. However, the status quo was maintained, as the Prescribed Authority remained with Pa Abraham Adesanya. Meetings and all official Afenifere activities were conducted within and, in the home of the Leader, as traditionally and historically expected, until his passage. Thereafter, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti was made the Substantive Leader of Afenifere.

“Therefore, Pa Dr. Reuben Fasoranti remains the only legally recognised Leader of Afenifere.

“To our dismay, and contrary to  tradition and history, we discovered that immediately Pa. Adebanjo took the mantle of leadership as ACTING Leader of Afenifere, he has been projecting himself as the Leader. Not only that, from all notes compared with history, he has not been working in accordance with the solemn sacred order, norms, ethics and virtues of Afenifere. 

“We condemn in totality, the gross insubordination of the ACTING Leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

“For emphasis, we will not allow our future to be mortgaged by Pa. Ayo Adebanjo. We challenge him to provide us with a substantial reason for attacking and maligning our own son, a true son of the soil, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect of Nigeria, despite the conclusion of a free, fair and credible election devoid of monetisation or rigging, which he won.

“The youths are watching and would wish to see Baba Adebanjo to guide Yoruba Nation appropriately; but we are shocked that Baba is not supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“As youths, we were wishing that Pa. Adebanjo would be a loving father by accommodating everyone.

“But today, we are here to put history in its right place and set a path of honour, not just for us or our children, but for generations yet unborn. 

“We noted the wise saying: "Omode gbon, agba gbon, la fi da Ile-Ife". As youths, we are acting to save our rich history and defend our traditions.

“A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IS HEREBY PASSED on the Acting Leader of Afenifere Pa Ayo Adebanjo forthwith; and that he stops parading as Leader/Acting Leader of Afenifere.

“That he ceases to be in all capacities, the Acting Leader of Afenifere.

“All well-meaning leaders and members of Afenifere should queue behind the National Leader of Afenifere worldwide, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti, is still alive and his pronouncement on any issue remained final on behalf of Afenifere in general.

“We hereby advise the press to note the right position as regards the leadership of Afenifere, and that there is no debate on who the Leader of Afenifere is. More so, in our history, it has never been heard in Yoruba history that there exist two kings in a Palace. Eewo orisa!

“In view of the above, we call for the restructuring of Afenifere and we advise Chief Ayo Adebanjo to kindly step down as the acting Leader of Afenifere in the interest of the organisation and the entire Yoruba Race.

Yoruba land is our concern!

We thank you all.

God bless our Leader, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti!
God bless Afenifere!
God bless Yoruba Race!
God bless Nigeria!!!







BEING THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY YORUBA AFENIFERE YOUTHS ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA (YAYON), AT THE JOINT SESSION OF HER LEADERS HELD IN LAGOS ON 4TH APRIL, 2023

Gentlemen of the Press,

The following decisions were unanimously reached after a joint session of Afenifere Youth National leaders in Yoruba land, Kogi and Kwara States.

The session observed critically the historical roots of Afenifere ideology, the recent disturbing developments, and the future of Yoruba youths.

Afenifere was formed 72 years ago as an influential socio-cultural group and voice to lawfully defend and promote first and foremost, the interest of the Yoruba People within the Nigerian Federation.

Commendably, all past Afenifere Leaders starting with the revered Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and including Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya, all of blessed memory, and the present Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, have sustained this philosophy. Notably, these illustrious Leaders in their exemplary, committed and  principled leadership, worked tirelessly to make Afenifere a most influential voice widely respected within and outside the Nigerian Federation, and indeed the arrowhead of all popular struggles to build Nigeria into a better, true and balanced Federation where Justice and equity will prevail for all. 

But we noted sadly that Afenifere began to derail from this long-held philosophy as soon as our father, Baba Ayo Adebanjo took up the position of Acting Leader when he abandoned the uncompromising pursuit and defence first and foremost of the interest of the Yoruba people for whatever reasons. 

We noted sadly too, that rather than rally the Yoruba People behind their son, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, now the President-Elect of Nigeria, to emerge as the President of this Great Country, Baba Adebanjo campaigned vigorously against him, and even after his well deserving and hard earned victory through a credible Presidential Election, he still wants the Presidency out of Yorubaland. Omo eni o se'di bebere, k'a f'ileke si t'omo elomiran.

We noted for the purpose of clarity, that Pa. Ayo Adebanjo is not the Leader of Afenifere; but the Acting Leader authorised by Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

We make bold to say that the action of making Pa Adebanjo the Acting National Leader, is in line with the precedence in our rich history.

For proper understanding of the nexus, we recount that when our revered late Leader, Pa. Abraham Adesanya wanted to delegate power due to his I'll health, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti was appointed as Acting  Leader. However, the status quo was maintained as the Prescribed Authority remained with  Pa. Abraham Adesanya. Meetings and all official Afenifere activities were conducted within and in the home of the Leader as traditionally and historically expected until his passage. Thereafter, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti was made the Substantive Leader of Afenifere.

Therefore, Pa Dr. Reuben Fasoranti remains the only legally recognised Leader of Afenifere.

To our dismay, and contrary to tradition and history, we discovered that immediately Pa. Adebanjo took the mantle of leadership as ACTING Leader of Afenifere, he has been projecting himself as the Leader. Not only that, from all notes compared with history, he has not been working in accordance with the solemn sacred order, norms, ethics and virtues of Afenifere. 

We condemn in totality, the gross insubordination of the ACTING Leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

For emphasis, we will not allow our future to be mortgaged by Pa. Ayo Adebanjo. We challenge him to provide us with a substantial reason for attacking and maligning our own son, a true son of the soil, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect of Nigeria, despite the conclusion of a free, fair and credible election devoid of monetisation or rigging, which he won.

The youths are watching and would wish to see Baba Adebanjo to guide Yoruba Nation appropriately; but we are shocked that Baba is not supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

As youths, we were wishing that Pa. Adebanjo would be a loving father by accommodating everyone

But today, we are here to put history in its right place and set a path of honour, not just for us or our children, but for generations yet unborn. 

We noted the wise saying: "Omode gbon, agba gbon, la fi da Ile-Ife". As youths, we are acting to save our rich history and defend our traditions.

A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IS HEREBY PASSED on the Acting Leader of Afenifere Pa Ayo Adebanjo forthwith; and that he stops parading as Leader/Acting Leader of Afenifere.

That he ceases to be in all capacities, the Acting Leader of Afenifere.

All well-meaning leaders and members of Afenifere should queue behind the National Leader of Afenifere worldwide, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti, is still alive and his pronouncement on any issue remained final on behalf of Afenifere in general.

We hereby advise the press to note the right position as regards the leadership of Afenifere, and that there is no debate on who the Leader of Afenifere is. More so, in our history, it has never been heard in Yoruba history that there exist two kings in a palace. Eewo orisa!

In view of the above, we call for the restructuring of Afenifere and we advise Chief Ayo Adebanjo to kindly step down as the acting Leader of Afenifere in the interest of the organisation and the entire Yoruba Race.

Yoruba land is our concern.

We thank you all.

God bless our Leader, Pa. Dr. Reuben Fasoranti!

God bless Afenifere!

God bless Yoruba Race!

God bless Nigeria!!!

SIGNED:

Comrade Eric Oluwole

*National Youth Leader, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria* 

 

Ojo Bright I. Eniafe

*Spokesman, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria*

Adewale Adeyemo

*Secretary, Yoruba Afenifere Youths Organizations of Nigeria*

Lekan Wilki

*Chairman, Yoruba Youths Alliance*

Abiodun Rosanwo

*Leader, Yoruba Youth Community Policing*

Yinka Adedugbe

*Congress of Yoruba Youths*

Raufu Jimoh

*Yoruba Youth Movement*