Afenifere will unite Fasoranti, Adebanjo in Yoruba’s interest, says Makinde

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says some frontline leaders of Afenifere have decided to resolve the differences between Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the socio-political group and Reuben Fasoranti, its former leader.

The governor spoke on Tuesday after a meeting of Afenifere leaders at the Otunba Subomi Balogun conference centre, University of Ibadan.

Since Adebanjo became the acting leader of Afenifere, there has been division in the group.

Adebanjo’s stance on national issues have always contradicted Fasoranti’s.

While Afenifere endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) for the presidential election, Fasoranti backed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fasoranti condemned the suspension of two national officers of Afenifere — Jare Ajayi, the national publicity secretary, and Abagun Kole Omololu, national organising secretary.

Makinde said with the general election out of the way, it is time to begin the process of fostering unity in Yorubaland.

He said he and other leaders in Afenifere believe that once the two leaders come together, Yorubaland and Nigeria would have the desired unity.

The governor also assured that the process of reconciling the pair would be speedy.

“If you put it in proper perspective, whenever Yorubaland is united, Nigeria is united, and whenever we have issues and challenges in Yorubaland, it usually spirals into other parts of Nigeria,” he said.

“So, my being here is to demonstrate my support for the steps I have been taking and to also let them know that I am committed to seeking for peace in Yorubaland.

“I can tell you that it is not something that we will procrastinate on. We will get to work immediately and I am sure that we will get the desired result within the shortest possible time.

“Once you tie the knot at the appropriate places, every other thing will fall in place. Once our people see the two leaders come together and talk, they will be the ones to appeal to the people.

“At that time, you won’t have to talk much because people would have seen that the leaders are now back together.”

Among those who attended the meeting were Abagun Kole Omololu, Afenifere’s organising secretary; Jare Ajayi, Afenifere’s national publicity secretary; Eric Oluwole, Dare Babarinsa, Korede Duyile, Leke Mabinuori, Bakkita Olufowobi Bello and Diran Adesua.