Fasoranti steps down as Afenifere leader, Adebanjo takes over

THE National Leader of the Pan- Yoruba socio- political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has relinquished power due to old age.

Fasoranti, who is 95 years old, disclosed this during the group’s monthly meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, saying it is appropriate for him to yield ground for a more youthful and energetic person after 13 years in the saddle.

He named the former Deputy Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as the Acting

MNational Leader, while the former Financial Secretary, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago, will serve as the new deputy leader.

According to him, the development became necessary because the group needs an improved organisation with more effective approach to combat the challenges facing Yoruba people. EANWHILE, Secretary General of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide, who was in the meeting where Fasoranti named Adebanjo as his successor, said: “It was commendable of the immediate past leader of Afenifere to name Adebanjo, who is also one of the right hand men of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his successor.”

“Fasoranti needed someone younger and energetic that can add to the political template of Nigeria. To support Adebanjo, we appointed Chief Olaitan as acting deputy leader.

Also, Senator Femi Okunrounmu said Adebanjo would definitely bring his activist nature to bare as head of Afenifere, saying:

“Although the new leader is in the best position to explain how he wants to run the organisation, it is expected of him to really continue to agitate for true federalism and change of the current unitary constitution, which has always been the position of Afenifere.”

While lauding Fasoranti’s decision, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum said it was not surprising the former Afenifere leader stepped aside.

In a statement yesterday, President of the forum, Mr. Akin Malaolu, said: “We are not surprised at the decision of our foremost Yoruba leader to take a bow. He has never betrayed the great Awoists of Yorubaland. Awolowo would have done the same for age reasons but he died before attaining very old age.”

Adebanjo told The Guardian: “I heard the news on the media just as you because I wasn’t part of the meeting. But I can tell you that there is no change at all. The principle upon which Afenifere stands remains and we will insists on restructuring and true federalism.”

THE Enugu State House of Assembly, yesterday, suspended the amendment bill seeking review in pensions for former governors and their deputies, following public outcry.

The proposed piece of legislation, which scaled first reading last week and billed for second reading yesterday, was unanimously stepped down when it came up at plenary.

It was stepped down following a motion by the Leader of the House and sponsor of the bill, Ikechukwu Ezugwu. Ezugwu, in a motion, said though the bill was not out of place, it needed to be suspended following widespread opposition.

He urged his colleagues to , as representatives of the people, listen to their outcr y, stressing the need to consult widely on the issue.

The motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader Onyinye Ugwu, who also urged promptness in the interest of the masses.

In his remarks, Speaker ,

Edward Ubosi admitted that some provisions of the bill were unconstitutional.

He listed them to include payment of salaries to spouses of ex- governors and their deputies, adding that further consultation was needed to ascertain its implication on the state.

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N the meantime, the Save Enugu Group ( SEG) has demanded a public apology from the legislature for “taking Enugu citizens for a ride.” The group, which had issued a 21- day ultimatum for the bill to be killed, said in a statement yesterday by its National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, that, “the House is insulting the sensibilities of the good people of Enugu State.”

Although, it noted the suspension of the controversial bill, SEG, however, warned the members to stay off any issue that could jeopardise the peace of the state, wondering what they could benefit by further impoverishing the state.

“Regrettably, the House Leader is allowing himself to be used by the Speaker, who is said to be eyeing the governorship seat in 2023 and working towards a futuristic benefits if the bill is eventually passed into law. “Otherwise, what is the special interest of the House of Assembly in making a law to further swell the bank account of already rich former governors and their deputies at the expense of the masses whose money will be used to service those politicians?” the group claimed.