The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has refuted claims that it endorsed a coalition movement led by a group of Nigerian opposition parties.
The clarification came in response to reports suggesting that Afenifere representatives were part of a delegation that visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence over the weekend.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, Afenifere categorically denied sending any delegation to Obasanjo or making statements attributed to it regarding the coalition. The organization was reacting to a PUNCH Online report stating that opposition parties had adopted the African Democratic Congress as their platform for the 2027 general elections.
Ajayi acknowledged that two prominent Afenifere members—Sola Ebiseni and Akin Osuntokun—were part of the visiting team but emphasized that their participation was in their personal capacities, not as representatives of Afenifere.
“Afenifere is not denying the fact that at least two of the people in the delegation are notable Afenifere chieftains. They are Sola Ebiseni and Akin Osuntokun. But it is on record that Osuntokun was the person who took over as Campaign Director of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Council when late Doyin Okupe resigned from that position. Ebiseni was the South-West Coordinator of the same council,” the statement read.
The organization further clarified that the presence of other individuals unaffiliated with Afenifere—such as John Ughulu and Folaseye Adabayo, Lagos State Coordinator and Secretary of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Council—confirmed that the visit was not an Afenifere initiative.
“The principal, Obi, has been reported to be in the ADC Coalition presently. It is therefore logical that his supporters would be justifying the coalition,” Afenifere stated.
The group reiterated its non-partisan stance, affirming that while it supports socio-political causes aligned with its principles, it does not align with any specific political party.
“Afenifere is not against any political group. But it is not in cahoots with any political party since it is non-partisan politically. Afenifere is for all the Yorubas. As we all know, not all Yoruba people are in politics. Even those who are in politics do not necessarily belong to the same political party. As such, Afenifere cannot afford to be politically partisan,” the statement explained.
Ajayi added that the organization remains focused on supporting national development efforts rather than political distractions.
“Talking about coalition or no-coalition is, therefore, a distraction that we cannot afford,” he added.
