Pa Fasoranti denies taking over leadership of Afenifere, says Chief Adebanjo still in charge

Pa Reuben Fasoranti, elder statesman and former leader Afenifere, a Yoruba sociopolitical group, says he was misinterpreted in the media on the issue between himself and the acting leader of the Group, Ayo Adebanjo.

NewsClick Nigeria reports that crisis hit the group following the decision of Pa Fasoranti to endorse Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday.

Adebanjo had earlier declared support for the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on behalf of the association.

In the wake of the confusion that followed, Fasoranti granted an interview where he claimed that he was still the leader of Afenifere.

However, backtracking in a statement on Thursday, he said he never stopped Adebanjo from being the acting leader of the group.

In the statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Mr Adedapo Abiola, in Akure, Fasoranti said some section of the media’s report was untrue on the matter.

The statement read, “It has come to Papa Reuben Fasonranti’s knowledge that some sections of the media, especially the social media, have been ascribing to him false statements designed to cause confusion and polarise Afenifere.

“I have Papa’s permission to say that he has not said Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no longer the acting leader of Afenifere nor that all future Afenifere meetings should henceforth be held at his residence in Akure.

“Papa’s main concern is the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation in Nigeria. It is also his concern that Afenifere should survive in dignity and remain a purveyor of the interest of the Yoruba race.”