Keep Off, Your Reconciliatory Move May Divide Afenifere, Pa Adebanjo Warns Gov Makinde

By Ayodele Oni

There seems to be no end to cold war among prominent leaders of the pan Yoruba socio cultural group, Afenifere, as attempt by Governor Seyi Makinde to broker peace has been rejected by one of the Leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

He has cautioned Governor  Makinde of Oyo State against interfering in the leadership issues of the group

Adebanjo stated this while addressing reporters in Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde  had on Tuesday announced that moves are in top gear to reconcile the National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and his predecessor, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

The governor, who attended the meeting, on Tuesday, told journalists, after the closed-door engagement, that the meeting centred around reconciling the two Afenifere leaders.

Governor Makinde said: “We’re all aware of the issues between our two leaders, and leaders of Afenifere, Baba Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

“Partisan issues and elections have come and gone and now we’re talking about the unity of the Yoruba race.

“And these frontline leaders of Afenifere, thought it fit to come together and start the process of seeking unity in Yorubaland.

“Starting with our two leaders to make sure that they come together and we know that once they come together we will also have the desired unity in Yorubaland.

“And if you put it in proper perspective, whenever Yorubaland is united, Nigeria is united and whenever you have issues and challenges in Yorubaland, it usually spirals into other parts of Nigeria so, this is to demonstrate my support for the steps that are being taken and also to let them know that I’m committed to unity in Yorubaland.”

Adebanjo, however, cautioned the governor against any attempt to split the group, saying he has no issue with his predecessor.

He said, “What Governor Makinde does not know about, he should not interfere. I have no dispute with Baba Fasoranti. He should not be one of those who want to split Afenifere, and that is not what I stand for.”