Fasoranti: Afenifere Sets Up Burial Committee, Defers Succession Debate

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has constituted a burial planning committee for its late leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti,

It deferred discussions on his successor until after the burial.

The decision was taken yesterday at a meeting of the organisation’s National Executive Committee, chaired by Oba Olu Falae, at the Akure residence of the late elder statesman in Ondo State.

Fasoranti’s family had earlier announced December 17, 2026, for his funeral service and interment. The committee will work with the family’s burial committee and the government committee to organise a befitting burial for the deceased.

Falae said the committee would comprise members of Afenifere and representatives of other groups that previously met at Ogbo, Ogun State. He added that its membership would be expanded to ensure wider representation in the burial arrangements.

He said the organisation considered discussions on leadership succession premature, stressing that the immediate priority was to honour the late leader before considering the future leadership of Afenifere.

According to him, the meeting noted that discussing who would succeed Fasoranti before his burial was contrary to Yoruba cultural values. He said a credible leader would emerge to lead the organisation after the burial.

Members of the committee include Oba Samuel Falae, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Chief Supo Shonibare, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Tola Mobulurin, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr Segun Mimiko, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, Hon. Wale Oshun, Chief Sola Ebiseni and several other prominent members of the organisation.

‎Speaking on behalf of the family, Olori Rachael Falae described the late elder statesman as a quiet, disciplined and trustworthy leader whose integrity earned him widespread respect in Akure.

‎She said Fasoranti demonstrated dedication while serving as a local government chairman and school principal, adding that his tenure witnessed the construction of important roads in Akure, including the road linking the A Division Police Station to the State Hospital and the road from the NEPA roundabout to the St Thomas’s area.

‎“Papa was a very quiet person and highly disciplined, and this discipline he carried even into his political life. He was a leader who could be trusted,” she said.

‎Olori Falae recalled that the late leader remained committed to his responsibilities despite the demands of public service, travelling from Oyo to preside over council meetings before returning to spend weekends with his family.

‎She said Fasoranti’s influence extended beyond politics, noting that members of the Akure community often took difficult matters to his residence for resolution.

‎“When his passing was announced, the Deji of Akure asked, ‘How are we going to find another leader like Baba Fasoranti?’ because difficult matters in Akure were always brought to his house,” she said.

‎The family appealed to Afenifere members to preserve the deceased’s legacy by working together, resolving internal disagreements and ensuring that the organisation remained a unifying force among the Yoruba people.

‎“I am appealing to the Afenifere group that they should please let this attitude remain, that they should work together and ensure that Afenifere stands for something that is good, something unique, something that can bring our people together,” Olori Falae said.

‎On the funeral programme, she said the family expected participation from Afenifere members, the Akure community, the Anglican Church and state governors.