Adebanjo: old age forced him out
ARG ‘committed to ideology’
There was disquiet yesterday in pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere following Sunday’s resignation of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
Its shocked leaders were weighing the options on the way forward for the group, which polarisation a few years ago led to the formation of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).
The ARG last night said it was committed to the philosophy of the group as espoused by its founding fathers.
Fasoranti resigned on Sunday, citing “membership disloyalty” and “gradual erosion of the group’s goals.”
His reasons may not have gone down well with two eminent members of the group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Seinde Arogbofa, who claimed that he resigned because of old age.
“He (Fasoranti) is old. He is 89. That is why he resigned. Papa (Adekunle) Ajasin and (Abraham) Adesanya did not attain that ripe old age. Pa Fasoranti said the youths don’t listen to elders again and that they behave as they like. When Ajasin was weak, he asked Adesanya to act. When Adesanya took ill, we appointed him (Fasoranti) as leader. There is nothing unusual about his resignation. We have no crisis. The man has been sick of late. He just left the hospital a few days ago. The job is rigorous. We hold a lot of meetings. Go and read his statement.
“We will meet and appoint a new leader. When we get to the meeting, we will attend to the vacancy. When we meet, we will appoint a new leader. I can’t tell you how a new leader will emerge until we meet.”
It was learnt that Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was taken aback by Fasoranti’s resignation, may meet with the elder statesman before the end of the week.
Sources said yesterday that Arogbofa and Chief Olu Falae may also meet with Fasoranti over the matter.
At Fasoranti’s Ijapo Estate home in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday reporters were not allowed in. Our reporter was told that he was relaxing in his private room.
One of his aides said: “Baba cannot attend to anybody now. He is in his bedroom relaxing.”
It was learnt that the elder statesman has remained indoors in the past two weeks.
Arogbofa said there is no cause for concern.
“I know Papa anchored his resignation mainly on old age. We should not see what has happened as what has never happened; there is nothing new in it.
“We should be calm and begin to think and strategise on how to make and move the organisation forward.
“We will put heads together and set a new course for the group as we did when Pa Adesanya was old and could not go ahead,” he said.
Arogbofa, an author, called for the cooperation of all members and the Yoruba, saying “he alone cannot take the decision as to how to move the organisation forward.’’
Arogbofa added: ”Afenifere is an organisation made up of intelligent people. We cannot rush to action in this kind of situation. We are still consulting and I will inform you about the outcome of our consultation.
“We were shocked by the action, because Baba Fasoranti never discussed with me before he took his decision, despite the level of our closeness.
“I don’t know what he meant by disloyalty of members because he didn’t discuss with me before he took his decision, but I know the issue will be resolved soon”
Spokesman of the organisation Yinka Odumakin said what happened was not beyond control.
He said: We have some internal things to sort out. Nigerians will soon know when we are through.’’
We’re committed to Afenifere’s philosophy, says ARG
The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) said last night that it is committed to the philosophy of Afenifere as espoused by its founders.
In a statement by its Chairman Hon. Wale Oshun, on the resignation of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, titled: In ARG, Afenifere philosophy stands underailed, the group said: “The statement by our elder, Chief Reuben Fasoranti that the Afenifere he led has derailed has confirmed our worst fears of what we had always known since the IITA reconciliation summit of 2006.
“The failure of that summit provided the groundswell for the reluctant emergence of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).
“Afenifere has now clearly exhibited itself as an out of touch institution whose lack of rudder has led to a total derailment from the fundamental values upon which it was built.
“Chief Fasoranti’s exit as the leader of Afenifere is a clear indication that the organisation has come to roost.
“We in Afenifere Renewal Group had seen the need for a renewal of Afenifere movement, anchored on the original philosophy of our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the legitimate voice of Yoruba people, providing the visionary, selfless and altruistic leadership that our people and land require and deserve.
“At this very critical period in the history of Nigeria and our people, we in the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) will continue the pursuit of the lofty ideals enunciated by the founders of Afenifere at its inception in Owo in 1951.
“We call on all well intentioned YORUBA people to steer away from the unhealthy recriminations of the past, inhered in unwholesome ego, dividing our people and enabling the continuing slide from the heights hitherto attained through the vision of that great leader of all times, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the hard-work and forbearance of Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Senator Abraham Adesanya, all of blessed memories.
“There is work for us to do, says the Afenifere anthem, and we in ARG are more than prepared to focus on this.
“We therefore seek the support of all YORUBA people, including those who still retained their Omoluabi values in the old order, to join ARG in our fervent pursuit of promoting, protecting, and ensuring the development of Yoruba people and communities in all spheres of human endeavors as embodied in our watch word:“freedom for all; life more abundant”.
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