The Reuben Fasoranti faction of Yoruba socio cultural group,Afenifere has disassociated itself from a statement purportedly issued by the Chief Ayo Adebanjo faction where Afenifere is said to have faulted the ruling of the Supreme Court on the 2023 presidential election won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement Thursday,the National Organizing Secretary,Abagun Kole Omololu described the statement of a communique issued by General Secretary of Adebanjo faction Chief Sola Ebiseni as being far from the truth.
Full statement below:
The attention of the Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, OFR and other leaders of the apex
Yoruba body has been drawn to a communique purportedly released in the name of Afenifere by
the General Secretary, Chief Sola Ebiseni, where Afenifere is said to fault the Supreme Court
judgement upholding Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election as the President of Nigeria. This is far
from the truth about Afenifere’s leadership position on the matter.
Let it be on record that Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, OFR and other Afenifere leaders
are not privy to such ignominious press release, did not authorise it and do not subscribe to the
seditious act such may portend. It is merely an unfortunate misadventure of some Labour Party
elements within the Afenifere fold who would rather drag the body’s reputation in the mud to
achieve whatever sinister and seditious end they might have concocted.
The world will recall that the Leader of Afenifere himself, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, OFR had
congratulated the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on his election into
office, and also expressed solidarity over his victory at the apex court. It is then clearly underhanded
and mischievous to have such preposterous attack on the judiciary by intemperate elements within
the fold, fanning the embers of national discords with political motives, using the name of Afenifere.
We are unequivocal in reiterating that Pa Ayo Adebanjo is the Acting Leader, who, in the natural
and traditional order of Afenifere, is expected to defer to his leader who appointed him, Chief
Reuben Fasoranti, OFR without reservations. To do otherwise is to tread such ignoble path in
national discourse as this unfortunate release reveals.
The meeting recently held in Ogbo Ijebu, at no point raised or decided on the attack on the judiciary
as the statements of the General Secretary seemed to portray.
The leaders of Afenifere would like
to challenge Chief Ebiseni to offer the world, the true record of deliberations at the said meeting to
confirm its concurrence with the communique he so released to the world.
Afenifere believes that it is time for real governance beyond the politicking that the judiciary has
sealed with the Supreme Court judgement. We look forward to good governance from the federal,
state and local governments, and are prepared to offer constructive feedback, counsel and criticism
in the quest for a better Nigeria, and a prosperous nation with viable federating entities.
The ethos and structure of Afenifere vest the leadership authority in the Leader as the Olori Ebi,
until such time that he joins his forebears, notwithstanding whoever he has chosen to act on his
behalf. Pa Adebanjo is an acting capacity, hence finality rests with the Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, .