The suspension of two officers from the Yoruba socio‑political organisation Afenifere has deepened internal divisions, writes Abiodun Nejo. The crisis escalated last week when the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, and the National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, were removed from their positions during a meeting of the organisation. A communiqué signed by National Leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Secretary‑General Sola Ebiseni cited “unauthorised statements” as the reason for their suspension. The statements in question were a congratulatory message to president‑elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu following his victory in the February 25 presidential election, and a remark concerning businessman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s comments about the Yoruba.
The fissures within Afenifere over presidential endorsements had been widening for some time, but they did not reach the level of suspensions until last week. In 2021, National Leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti stepped down due to age, appointing Deputy National Leader Adebanjo as acting leader. Fasoranti argued that Afenifere needed a stronger, more effective organisation to protect its culture and pride. However, many members felt this transition conflicted with the group’s principles. The disagreement became pronounced in 2022 during the build‑up to the 2023 presidential election when Adebanjo endorsed Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, an Igbo, on the basis of national interest and the rotational principle, noting that a Yoruba had previously held the presidency. Fasoranti’s camp rejected this endorsement, claiming it did not reflect the wishes of the Yoruba people. Fasoranti, together with other Afenifere leaders in the Southwest, hosted APC candidate Bola Tinubu in Akure, Ondo State, publicly endorsed him, prayed for his success, and declared, “Tinubu will win the election.”
At the close of that meeting, Organising Secretary Omololu explained that Afenifere’s endorsement of Tinubu was based on assurances of his commitment to true federalism, which would grant states greater control over their affairs. He praised Tinubu’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria grounded in democratic rights, rule of law, justice, and security, and highlighted Tinubu’s record as Lagos State Governor as evidence that his presidency could usher in hope, peace, security, employment, economic development, and stability. Adebanjo, asserting his authority as Afenifere’s leader, countered that Fasoranti lacked the standing to endorse Tinubu on behalf of the organisation. He reiterated his support for Obi, describing any opposing faction as a diversion and emphasizing the need to secure victory for Obi in the election.
The ensuing months saw a battle of pronouncements between the Fasoranti and Adebanjo factions. Despite attempts to present a united front, Afenifere entered the election season divided: Adebanjo’s group campaigned for Obi, while Fasoranti’s camp remained steadfast in its support for Tinubu. Adebanjo repeatedly urged Tinubu to step down in favour of Obi, even calling on Tinubu to avoid the embarrassment of electoral defeat during a Labour rally in Abeokuta. On February 25, Nigerians voted, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu the winner with 8,794,726 votes, ahead of PDP’s Atiku Abubakar (6,984,520) and LP’s Peter Obi (6,101,533). While the PDP and LP contested the results, the Adebanjo faction joined the LP in rejecting the outcome, insisting that Obi had actually won. A communiqué issued after an Afenifere Special General Meeting in Isanya‑Ogbo, Ogun State, signed by Adebanjo and Ebiseni, claimed that credible sources confirmed Obi’s victory and pledged support for his challenge to INEC’s declaration. In an interview, Adebanjo described Tinubu’s victory as “temporary” and warned that the battle would continue in the Supreme Court.
Fasoranti’s camp responded by rejecting the claim that Obi had won, stating that Afenifere does not act as an electoral umpire and that it accepts INEC’s results unless overturned by a competent court. The statement affirmed that Nigeria now has a president‑elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a “true Yoruba son and nationalist,” and expressed delight at his forthcoming presidency.
The dispute over the election results led the Adebanjo group to remove Omololu and Ajayi from their offices and impose indefinite suspensions for unauthorised statements made in the organisation’s name. Adebanjo and Ebiseni distanced Afenifere from a statement that criticised Iwuanyanwu, noting that they believed Iwuanyanwu had correctly asserted that Yoruba and Igbo were not at war and condemned the antics of “political rascals.” They argued that the duo’s actions constituted unauthorised and denigrating activity, justifying their removal pending a disciplinary committee’s recommendation. The Fasoranti faction, however, declared the suspensions null and void, questioning why the officers were sanctioned before a hearing. Omololu and Ajayi complained of an unfair process, while Iwuanyanwu denied ever calling Yoruba “political rascals,” calling the circulating claim a fraudulent manipulation.
Professor Femi Omotoso of Ekiti State University traced Afenifere’s crisis to longstanding Igbo‑Yoruba tensions, dating back to the rivalry between Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. He observed that the Adebanjo faction seeks a Southeast president, whereas the Fasoranti faction views Tinubu as “our son.” Omotoso warned that it may be too late to overturn the president‑elect’s mandate, noting that the parties are already in court and urging patience. He concluded that the conflict is needless and should not be allowed to degenerate into a broader crisis within the Yoruba ethnic group.
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