Fasoranti rescinds decision to resign as Afenifere leader

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has rejected the resignation of Pa Reuben Fasoranti as the leader of the group and has thus begged the octogenarian to rescind his decision and continue to lead the association.

This was against the expectation that the group would appoint a new leader on Wednesday.

The Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the end of the meeting held at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday.

Odumakin explained that members of the association, at the meeting, pleaded with Pa Fasoranti to withdraw his resignation and to continue to lead Afenifere.

He added that after much pleading, Fasoranti agreed to continue as the leader of the group.

“The meeting resolved to urge him to continue as the leader of Afenifere and Baba (Fasoranti) has agreed to withdraw his resignation letter and continue as our leader. The good news is that Baba has withdrawn his decision to step aside,” the Afenifere’s spokesperson stated.

Fasoranti, while reacting to the development, said he had accepted the resolution of the meeting and agreed to continue to lead the group.

On the allegation of disunity among the members, Odumakin said there was no crack in the Afenifere family, insisting that the leadership would continue to uphold the ideals of the founding fathers of the association.

“We want to state that there is no crack in Afenifere and we remain committed to the great ideals of our founding fathers,” he added.

Odumakin, however, noted that there was no plan by the group to choose any leader in an acting capacity when the current leader (Fasoranti) is still alive. He said if that would happen, it would be an internal arrangement within the group to choose a person to act.

The meeting which lasted for several hours, had in attendance dignitaries including the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Korede Duyile, and Chief Supo Sonibare.

Fasoranti had on Sunday resigned as the group’s leader on the grounds of alleged disunity among its members.