The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, was urged by Afenifere’s US and UK chapters to warn Oba Oladipo Olaitan against interfering in the group’s internal matters in a way that would cause division.
The organization’s new leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has been rejected by the United Kingdom and United States chapters of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere. The chapters have dismissed the claim as erroneous and misleading.
According to a joint statement signed by Dr. Durojaiye Akindutire, Chairman of Afenifere USA, and Engr. Babatunde Shianaba, Chairman of Afenifere UK, the assertion is a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts.
Under Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a famous elder statesman whose wisdom and firm direction continue to influence the Yoruba people’s fate, Afenifere remains structured and principled.
The group’s attempts to be divided were vehemently condemned in the statement
- The chapter statement reads, “This misleading claim is not only false but also a grave affront to the esteemed institution of Afenifere, which has long been a beacon of Yoruba socio-political advancement.
- “It is wholly against Yoruba culture and values for younger individuals to belittle elders or seek to usurp the authority of well-established leaders. Those parading themselves as representatives of a so-called faction of Afenifere are nothing more than political opportunists and self-serving power traders.
The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, was urged by Afenifere’s US and UK chapters to warn Oba Oladipo Olaitan against interfering in the group’s internal matters in a way that would cause division.
They Olaitan with past political blunders, such as running for governor of Osun State in 2007 under the now-defunct NDP, a party associated with the political apparatus of the late General Sani Abacha.
- “Traditional rulers are expected to serve as custodians of peace and unity, not as instruments of discord within respected socio-political structures, the statement continued.
- “It is beneath the dignity of an Oba to be manipulated as a pawn in efforts to destabilize an organization that has tirelessly championed Yoruba progress
- “It is preposterous that a fourth-class Oba from a remote hamlet in Ijesha land, Alaago-Kajola, would harbor ambitions of leading Afenifere and, by extension, the Yoruba people.
- “Olaitan disregarded wise counsel from Afenifere leaders, demonstrating a long-standing pattern of pursuing an anti-Yoruba agenda.
- “His continued association with Afenifere is untenable. He must be expelled, just like others falsely parading themselves as members without any legitimate affiliation.”