Fasoranti’s Death: Afenifere’s Succession Structure Already In Place – Olu Falae

By Ayodele Oni

Former Secretary to the Federal Government and the Olu of Ilu Abo in Ondo State, Oba Samuel Olu Falae, said on Tuesday that the death of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti has left a big void in Yoruba Nation and Nigeria’ s political setting.

However, he said that this would not pose any problem for the pan Yoruba organisation in picking its new leader, as the group has a well arranged leadership succession structure, which has been followed over the years since the passage of its first leader who also doubled as the Yoruba leader, the departed sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.He said the group is a self-perpetuating,self-regulating organisation.

Falae, one of the first callers at Fasoranti’s Akure home after the incident, spoke with reporters  at the departed elder statesman’s residence.

The royal father said: “As leaders go, leaders come. You don’t contest or fight for the leadership of Afenifere. When Baba Awolowo died, I went to Ikenne to see Mama Awolowo.

“After seeing her, I saw Late Bisi Onabanjo, and I said to him, ‘Sir, our leader is gone. Who will lead us now?’ He said, “Rule me out.”

“He was a manageable man like Awolowo, but more importantly, he said he had very poor health. I said, “What about Bola Ige?” He said, “No, no, no. Bola Ige will scatter the organisation with his comments.”“ I said, “What about Jakande?” He said, “No.” Jakande was a very, very unforgiving person, I thought. I said, “Okay, who?” I said, “Okay, what about Baba Ajasin?” He said, “That’s the man.” He said, “The leadership chooses itself.”

“Papa Ajasin was, in fact, older than Papa Awolowo by one year. They founded the Action Group together.

“In fact, the free education programme, which made Papa Awolowo and the Action Group very popular, was written. The original paper was written by Papa Ajasin. So clearly, therefore, he was head and shoulders above all of them.

“And eventually, Ajasin became leader. And when Ajasin died, I was in detention then; Adesanya became leader.

“When Adesanya was sick and was losing his mind, he nominated Papa Fasoranti as his acting leader.

“And so now that Papa is gone, I’m sure a leader will emerge without any struggle. I am sure if you ask many Afenifere people, they will tell you who they think will be their next leader.

“The leadership chooses itself. It is obvious who the next leader will be. It is always so. And I hope and pray it will be so this time.”

Oba ‎Falae described Pa Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man.

He said, “I have known him intimately for more than 60 years. And in all that time, I have never heard him quarrel with anybody, shout at anyone, even in political meetings.

“And he was always ready to mediate any dispute brought to his attention, be it a dispute from the Akure community, from the church, from the political party, wherever.

“Baba was always ready to sit down and listen to all disputants and assist them to resolve whatever was at issue.

“No one is perfect, but Baba is as near perfect a human being as I believe you can get in the fallen world.

“When he was Principal Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School, where he was the founding principal, many pupils from poor homes were admitted and he allowed them to complete their secondary education on credit and gave them a chance to have secondary education and a chance to repay after leaving school.”