Afenifere ‘rift’: Don’t meddle into what you know nothing about, Pa Adebanjo warns Gov Makinde
Leader of the Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo has warned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to shelve his proposed mediation in the group’s purported internal wrangling.
The warning follows Gov Makinde’s reported plans to mediate and unite the group after a fallout of the 2023 presidential election.
The choice of Afenifere’s presidential candidate in the last general election appeared to have caused division in the hierarchy of the foremost Yoruba group.
While the Adebanjo group threw their weight behind Peter Obi of labour party citing equity, fairness and competence, the Pa Reuben Fasoranti camp was believed to have pitched its tent with President Bola Tinubu of the APC, harping on consanguineous expediency for its reason.
To settle the dispute a reconciliation meeting was held at the University of Ibadan Hotel on Wednesday.
Makinde, who attended the meeting, confirmed to journalists that the meeting centred on reconciling the two factional leaders of Afenifere.
He, therefore, appealed to the two warring leaders to bury their hatchets for the progress and unity of the region.
Makinde said, “Well, we’re all aware of the issues between our two leaders and the leaders of Afenifere, Adebanjo, and Fasoranti. Partisan issues and elections have come and gone, and now we’re talking about the unity of the Yoruba race. And these frontline leaders of Afenifere thought it fit to come together and start the process of seeking unity in Yorubaland.
“We are starting with our two leaders to make sure that they come together, and we know that once they come together, we will also have the desired unity in Yorubaland.
“Whenever Yorubaland is united, Nigeria is united, and whenever you have issues and challenges in Yorubaland, they usually spiral into other parts of Nigeria. So, this is to demonstrate my support for the steps that are being taken and also to let them know that I’m committed to the unity of Yorubaland.”
Reacting to the report, Adebanjo warned Makinde against interfering in the leadership issue of the sociocultural organization.
He disclosed there was no feud between him and his predecessor, Fasoranti, advising Makinde not to meddle in issues he knows nothing about.
Addressing reporters yesterday, Adebanjo cautioned Makinde against any attempt to split Afenifere.
“What Governor Makinde does not know about, he should not interfere. I have no dispute with Baba Fasoranti. He should not be one of those who want to split Afenifere, and that is not what I stand for,” he said.
