By Omolade Adegbuyi
The Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere will visit President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock on Thursday.
Irohinoodua was informed that the visit is aimed at expressing support to the President and also to offer suggestions on how to tackle the country’s wobbling economic outlook, strengthen and improve relationship with other regional blocs.
President Tinubu was himself a member of Afenifere until 2003 when the ambition of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek a second term caused division between the Alliance for Democracy, AD which at that time was controlling the entire six Yoruba states.
Tinubu did not join the alliance which turned out to be counter productive as President Obasanjo ensured he won the Presidential election but turned back to renege and taunt the AD controlled states.
He ensured the AD lost the six states except Lagos, indicating a mark of treachery and a masterstroke deceit.
In the last election held on February 25, Afenifere or a faction of it led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo supported the Labour Party, LP Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi while Pa Rueben Fasoranti supported President Tinubu.
Fasoranti had argued that while alliance with the South East was desirable, in his past, Obi had no credentials that justified his support for Federalsm and that if he had any, Tinubu was not his equal on that field.
An official of Afenifere, Mr Kole Omololu said the Afenifere will visit Tinubu on Thursday.
He said after the Yoruba Conference at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan in 1995, it was resolved that “Afenifere is the mainstream political and socio-cultural organisation of the Yoruba people. “
It is not a political party.
The following leaders will accompany Baba Fasoranti to visit President Bola Tinubu at a date to be agreed.
- HRM Oba Olu Falae
- H E Bisi Akande
- H E Segun Osoba
- Lt. Gen Alani Alani Akinrinade
5.. Prof Bolaji Akinyemi - Arch. Bishop Ladigbolu
- H E C O Adebayo
- H E Gbenga Daniel
- H E Seyi Makinde
- H E Dr Segun Mimiko
- Dr Yomi Finih
- Prince Olushi
- Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa
- Kole Omololu
- Ademola Folarin
- Dare Babarinsa
Omololu described the 16 as some of the finest in Yoruba land.
He hinted that there will be a General meeting of Afenifere in Akure on the 27th of September 2023 before the visit to the president.
Omololu has been advocating support for Tinubu which he says is necessary for other regions to be able to appreciate the leadership of the President who comes from the Yoruba speaking South West.
He said Tinubu needs regional solidarity expected to galvanise the North and South of the country towards a prosperous country built on justice, freedom, equality and Federalism.
Omololu was one of the major actors in the anti-military campaign that saw an end to fascism in Nigeria in 1998.