The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has named former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure North, Ondo State, Oba Olu Falae, as the Chairman of its National Executive Committee.
This decision emerged from the group’s monthly meeting held at the Akure residence of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, where pressing national issues including insecurity and economic hardship were also deliberated.
While briefing journalists after the session, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, disclosed that the appointment was made directly by Pa Fasoranti.
He explained that the move was aimed at repositioning the organization for greater impact.
Ajayi said, “Oba Falae’s appointment is meant to reinvigorate the organisation with a view to ensuring that the House of Oduduwa is back on track to project the Yoruba mandate.
“The new Chairman, Oba Falae, is a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), among other important offices he has held.”
A communiqué released after the meeting highlighted the numerous challenges confronting the nation, noting that Afenifere sees restructuring as the most effective solution.
“The meeting considered various challenges confronting the nation currently,” it read. “Since we have subjected these issues to rigorous interrogations severally, we have come to the conclusion that the most potent means of tackling the challenges is Restructuring.
“We are therefore calling on the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to set the machinery in motion to restructure the country as a matter of urgency.
“As we congratulate the present administration for clocking two years in office, we urge it to make Restructuring one of the major policies in its third year in office.”
The group also raised concerns over the country’s growing insecurity, referencing incidents such as the abduction of Oba James Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Kogi State, and the tragic killing of Nelson Adegboyigiwa, the APC chairman in Ondo State, despite ransom being paid.
The communiqué added: “Reports of violent attacks on communities and settlements continue to occur especially in the Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa States and in some other parts of the North.
“In the light of the foregoing, Afenifere is reiterating its longstanding advocacy for the immediate take-off of State Police.
“Here, note is taken of various insinuations that insecurity is becoming endemic because of the complicity at the political, military and community levels.”
Afenifere also urged the federal government to act swiftly to mitigate the effects of inflation, particularly in food and transportation, despite acknowledging recent reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“We therefore implore the federal government to take urgent actions to ease the situation,” the group stated.
The organization also supported the federal initiative to create a National Forestry Guard but emphasized that the implementation should be state-led as part of a decentralized security framework.
Afenifere expressed appreciation to the President for funding the rehabilitation of the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway.
The meeting had representatives from all Yoruba-speaking states, including Kwara and Kogi, and notable attendees such as Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chief Tokunbo Ajasin.
Reacting to his appointment, Oba Falae expressed gratitude and pledged to unify the various factions within the group.
He said, “By the grace of God and with the support of Afenifere and the Yoruba nation, we’ll succeed in bringing the other groups, everybody together.
“I intend to do all I can to bring all factions of Afenifere together in Papa’s lifetime.”
Backing him, the National Organizing Secretary, Apagun Kole Omololu, affirmed that the new chairman would indeed reunite the group and steer it toward renewed unity.
