Afenifere crisis deepens, Adebanjo removed as leader over support for Obi

Yoruba socio-cultural group has suspended its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo for endorsing Peter Obi for presidency.

This was made known by the ultimate leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti during an interview with AIT.

He also said there would be no more meetings at Adebanjo’s home, adding that the report that he stepped down as Afenifere leader was a “misrepresentation”.

“It was a misunderstanding and misinterpretation from some people who thought I was going senile and couldn’t comprehend,” he said.

“When I heard that, I reacted and the person who said that regretted saying so.”

Fasoranti added that the meetings of the group will be moved to Akure “as soon as the secretary and I put our heads together — and the leaders too”.

READ ALSO: Rufai Oseni reacts as Pa Reuben Fasoranti claim he’s still the leader of Afenifere

His remark comes days after Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), visited Afenifere leaders in Akure, during which Fasoranti prayed for him.

The position also contradicts that of Ayo Adebanjo, who is identified as the acting Afenifere leader.

Adebanjo, who was announced as acting leader of the group in 2021, recently said Afenifere would back Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

Speaking on the development, Fasoranti said Obi has not been endorsed by the group.

“We have not deviated from the same principle. We still stand for the good of the people, I didn’t retire from the leadership of Afenifere. I was misinterpreted. I am still the leader of Afenifere.

“Afenifere is not endorsing Obi. We are endorsing Jagaban (Tinubu). As you can see the trend, the following, the approval and the acceptability.

“Adebanjo cannot warn me not to welcome Tinubu. Adebanjo took a stand and I took a stand. We did not speak about Tinubu’s visit. It goes without saying that Jagaban is accepted and we approve of it. Obi has no standing in our mind at all.”