Akure Meeting Not By Afenifere But It’s A Blessing In Disguise – Secretary Confirms

Amidst the recent war of words between the two leaders of the Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and Cheif Ayo Adebanjo, the group’s Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni has come out to claim there is no division amongst them.

According to him, the gathering in Pa Fasoransi’s house in Akure, Ondo state capital was not an Afenifere meeting but it has brought blessings and dignity back to the group.

Naija News learnt that Ebiseni in an interview with Arise TV said a faction of the group, the Afenifere Renewal Group, who were responsible for organizing the meeting in Fasoranti’s house were the very people who claimed Afenifere was not relevant and could not dictate for Yoruba.

He advanced that the same group who plotted for the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, never had anything to do with Pa Fasoranti throughout his reign from November 2008 to March 16, 2021.

The Afenifere secretary-general said “Pa Fasoranti was appointed leader of Afenifere in November 2008, on the death of Abraham Adesanya. It was in that same year that those who went to Fasoranti today separated from Afenfiere and formed what they call the Afenifere Renewal Group and never had anything to do with Pa Fasoranti throughout his reign from November 2008 to March 16, 2021. They never had anything to do with him, as a matter of fact; they set up several dissident organizations to supplant his leadership.

“The meeting in Akure was not an Afenifere meeting, but it was a blessing to both Afenifere and Pa Fasoranti. When there was an important guest to visit Baba, he would call some of us around. The normal faces we see are Chief Olu Falae, Bashorun Olugbafa, Chief Korede Duyile, and some of us within the place, we will welcome the guest. That does not translate to an Afenifere meeting.

“As I told you, the meeting that was held was not an Afenifere meeting. The notice of that meeting was issued in the name of a WhatsApp group, Conscience of Yoruba Nation. Those who expressed political inclination at any time were gathered in the WhatsApp group and my brother, Kola Omololu, said he was the Director General.

“He issued a meeting and told people that we are going to hold a meeting in respect of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidency, and Pa Fasoranti has agreed to preside over the meeting.

“Baba has the power to bless anyone. I give you an example. In 2019, Afenifere endorsed Atiku Abubakar. Several others still came and Baba prayed for them.”

Naija News gathered that while explaining why he described the meeting as a blessing to the group and Fasoranti, Ebiseni explained that the breakaway faction of the Afenifere has repented and they have come to seek the blessings of Pa Fasaranti last weekend.

He pointed out that “On Saturday thereabout, they now came to the same Fasoranti they never accepted as a leader. They worshipped at his altar, removed their caps, and allowed him to place his hands on them in repentance. What they have come to do is repentance. What they have come to do is admit that they erred.

“Normally, Fasoranti invited some of the people that sat with him. It was not an Afenifere meeting. How is it therefore a blessing to Afenfiere? Before now, the impression had been created that Afenifere was not relevant in the scheme of things, Afenifere could not dictate for Yoruba, Afenifere could not do this or that. However, surreptitiously, they are going through the background to seek the face of the same Afenfiere because they know that the soul of the Yoruba nation resides in Afenifere.”