The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has abolished the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of the group, presently occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan.
Rising from its monthly meeting held at the country home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the group said that the decision was to halt the polarisation.
At the instance of the leader, Pa Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, was mandated to preside over the meeting.
According to the group’s communique read to newsmen, by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, 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 state.
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 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Pa Fasoranti at the close of the meeting “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.
Present at the meeting include Prof Ropo Sekoni, Otunbo Kole Omololu, former governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Osun deputy governor, lyiola Omisore, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Agbakin Ademola Folarin, Pastor Bola Bolawole, Chief lmam of Yorubaland, Abduraheem Aduranigba amongst others.
