Says suspension of principal officers unacceptable
A Yoruba group, Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural Group, yesterday, berated leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organiation, Afenifere, over the division that had been created in the South-West.
The group, while accusing Pa Ayo Adebanjo of pursuing selfish interest with the mainstream Yoruba group, said that the acting leader had been scheming to usurp the position of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who they described as the authentic leader of the organisation.
In a statement, the group’s National Convener and Leader, Jayeola A.O. and National Secretary, Akinfolarin Alex, claimed that Adebanjo had been parading himself as the national leader of the oldest and most prestigious Yoruba group.
While describing the action of the Adebanjo-led faction as illegal, the group urged the public and the people of the South-West to disregard the alleged suspension.
The statement reads: “To us as an emerging group, this is an attempt to polarize the group, misrepresent the group, and take over the national leadership position illegally from the authentic national leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
“One will wonder why an individual will want to unseat an existing national leader of the calibre of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who is known to the younger generation to have always provided the right leadership for the group since taking over as leader of a highly respected group like Afenifere.
“Pa Ayo Adebanjo seems to be biting off more than he can chew and should be cautioned for his illegal operations and unapproved roles and portfolios he is forcefully ascribing to himself.
“Most provoking is the long list of resolutions read in the media space that were taken in his illegal meeting in Ogun State.
The group further stated that “his description of the presidential election held on the 25th of February 2023 as being characterized by all forms of primitive manipulations and non-compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is totally condemnable.
“It baffles us to think that someone of his calibre will make statements that rubbish a very free, fair, and credible election that stands acceptable to Nigerians, who all went out to exercise their franchise willingly without any financial inducement.
“It is unacceptable that a few people or an individual use their selfish interest to condemn the outcome of an election that produced a competent, credible, trusted, tested, experienced, and fully prepared President-Elect like the calibre of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to whom Nigerians have given the baton to provide a leadership style that will help re-fix the country in all sectors beginning from May 29th, 2023.”
