Oba Olaitan Succeeds Late Adebanjo As Leader Of Factional Afenifere

By Ayodele Oni

Following the death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, factional Afenifere, a prominent pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, has announced the appointment of a new leader. He is Oba Oladipo Olaitan.

Oba Olaitan’s appointment was part of the resolutions as contained in a communique issued at the end of its monthly general meeting at Isanya Ogbo, in Ogun State, the country home of late Pa Adebanjo on Tuesday.

The meeting is the first to be held since the demise of Chief Adebanjo early this month.

According to the communique signed by Chief Sola Ebiseni, Secretary General and Justice Faloye, National Publicity Secretary of the group, “The general meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.

“Oba Olaitan  was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, a Political Adviser to Governor  Lateef Jakande and member of the  Lagos  State Executive Council 1979 – 1983; elected Member House of Representatives and Leader of AD in the House  1999 – 2003.

“He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years serving in various capacities including the National Financial Secretary under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Deputy Leader under Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

“Oba Olaitan will function as the Leader in acting capacity till after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo when he will assume the office as substantive Leader.”

In his acceptance speech the new Leader committed himself to the ideals of Afenifere as a social political organisation and unrelenting advocate of restructuring and true federalism adding that he would ensure the unity of the organisation.

On the transition of the Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, delegates were formally briefed of his demise at the meeting.

The meeting acknowledged the enviable contributions of the late Leader to nation-building as reflected by the glowing tributes in his memory from all walks of life within Nigeria and the world over.

“Meeting commiserated with the children and the immediate family members of our Leader and applauded them for their untiring courteous engagement of a large number of people who daily throng the Lekki Lagos and Isanya-Ogbo Ogun State residence of our great Leader.”

Also in the communiqué, Afenifere decried the worsening security situation in the country.

Members received reports of a young man, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the videos of whose ordeal, in the den of kidnappers have been on social media for almost a week.

The meeting called on the governments of Ondo and Kogi States around which common boundaries the kidnapping was reported to have taken place and the relevant security agencies to act without further delay and ensure the rescue and safety of the young man.