Prominent Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has officially abolished the position of acting leader, previously held by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in a significant organisational restructuring.
The decision was announced in a communique after Afenifere’s monthly meeting at the residence of National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. The communique was read by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Jare Ajayi.
In addition to the restructuring, the group formed the Afenifere Elders Caucus, appointing Fasoranti as its leader, with Adebanjo among the notable members.
Other members of the group include Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Archbishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani, Akinrinade (retd), Maj. Gen. Olu Bajowa (retd), Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, among others.
The caucus is tasked with advising the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba, reflecting a strategic shift to rejuvenate and reposition the group.
The communique read, “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided that the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader have now been abrogated.
“The responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus, which is hereby constituted.”
The meeting also addressed the nation’s escalating security issues, expressing dissatisfaction with the current socio-economic and security situations.
At the meeting, Afenifere also advocated for a restructuring of Nigeria, noting the necessity for states and local government councils to establish their own police services, a move the group said is crucial in combating the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry.
“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 desire to establish their 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, the Oyo State Government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have prevented last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatised hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into billions of naira. “
While reiterating that it was time to restructure the country, the Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.
The group added that Tinubu,”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
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