Leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, has stepped down.
The 95-year-old eminent Yoruba leader cited old age among his reasons for stepping aside as leader of the group he led since 2008.
He said: “Afenifere now needs more than ever before to have an improved organisation with a more effective approach to issues.
“Only a more agile and active leadership can achieve this. At 95, I am hardly able to provide such, and so, it is time for me to step aside.
“At this point, let me take a break and make an important point. Whatever has been achieved by Afenifere has been by collective leadership. The leader in Afenifere works according to the leadership model.
“In this respect, I want to pay special tribute to all my colleagues in Afenifere, most especially two of them: the late Chief Olaniwun Ajayi and my good brother and friend, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. They both worked so hard to keep Afenifere up in the times of the travails. The passage of Chief Ajayi did not impact negatively on the commitment of Chief Adebanjo towards all that Afenifere stands for.
“Chief Adebanjo’s efforts stand him out as a deep lover of Afenifere and the Yoruba people. He has been in the trenches all his life.”
Adebanjo became Acting Leader of Afenifere while Oba Oladipo Olaitain, the Alago of Kajola Ago in Atakomosa East Local Government Area (Ilesa) of Osun State, was announced as the Deputy Leader.
The congress concluded that the monthly meeting of Afenifere would continue to hold in the Akure home of Pa Fasoranti.
Reading a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Chief Korede Duyile said the new leaders were capable of leading the group.
The communiqué described Chief Adebanjo as a progressive who had been in the Chief Obafemi Awolowo fold.
It urged all governors of the Southwest states to give the Southwest Security Network, named Amotekun, the necessary bite to carry out its duties.
The group also urged the Federal Government to set machinery in motion for the activation of state police across the country.
The communiqué added that the argument that governors would abuse the use of state police was not tenable.
93-year-old Adebanjo replaces Fasoranti as Afenifere Leader
by PM News
Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has stepped down as the National Leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Organisation, Afenifere.
Fasoranti, 95, stepped down due to old age.
In his place, 93-year-old Chief Ayo Adebanjo has stepped in as the acting National leader.
Adebanjo was formerly the Deputy National leader, Afenifere.
Former Financial Secretary of the group, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago, Atakumosa East Council Area, Ilesa, Osun State was named as the group’s deputy leader.
According to Fasoranti, he stepped down because the group needed more than ever before to have an improved organisation with a more effective approach to combat the monstrous invasion of the Yoruba culture and pride as a people.
He said only a more alike and active leadership could achieve this, saying that at 95, he is hardly able to provide such and that it was time he stepped aside.
“At this junction, I am proud to announce Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a politician of the Awolowo school of thought as Acting leader of Afenifere and His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, as the Deputy Leader,” Fasoranti said.
The leadership change of baton was applauded by the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum.
Akin Malaolu, the group’s president said: We are not surprised at the decision of our foremost Yoruba leader Pa Rueben Fasoranti to take a bow citing old age.
“He is a worthy leader who will never and has never betrayed the great Awoist of Yoruba land. Our late sage late Chief Obafemi Awolowo would have done the same under age reasons but he died before attaining very old age.
“Pa FASONRANTI’s decision was not from fear of death because he is still within the arrival hall.
“Departure is not on our mind for any leader and we can only say thank you for your uprightness in managing the affairs of our people and our nation.
“Chief Ayo Adebanjo shall keep the Awoist light glowing and Yoruba Ronu leaders shall offer assistance at every bend that may unstable
“Chief Ayo Adebanjo as our new Yoruba leader is hereby accepted and recognised”.

By  Osagie Otabor