In a closed-door meeting held in Ibadan, the Pan Yoruba Sociocultural group, Afenifere, discussed plans to reconcile the two factional leaders of the organization, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, who attended the meeting, revealed that the focus was on uniting the two leaders. The details of the meeting were not disclosed to journalists, but it is believed that it centered around the unity of the Yoruba nation and Afenifere as an organization.
Governor Makinde appealed to Adebanjo and Fasoranti to put aside their differences, emphasizing that the unity of the Yoruba race should be a priority for all concerned leaders. The two leaders have been at odds over who should succeed former president Muhammadu Buhari in the 2023 presidential election. Adebanjo believes it is the South East’s turn to produce the next president, while Fasoranti supports former Lagos state governor Bola Tinubu as a Yoruba candidate.
Makinde expressed his support for the efforts being made to achieve unity in Yorubaland, stating that when the Yoruba people are united, Nigeria as a whole benefits. He urged followers of Adebanjo and Fasoranti to remain patient, as he believes that once the two leaders reconcile, everything else will fall into place. The governor’s presence at the meeting was seen as a demonstration of his commitment to unity in Yorubaland.
In his words, Makinde said: “well we’re all aware of the issues between our two leaders, and leaders of Afenifere, Baba Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
“Partisan issues, elections have come and gone and now we’re talking about the unity of the Yoruba race. And these frontline leaders of Afenifere, thought it fit to come together and start the process of seeking for unity in Yorubaland.
“Starting with our two leaders to make sure that they come together and we know tht once they come together we will also have the desired unity in Yorubaland.
“And if you out it in proper perspective, whenever Yorubaland is united, Nigeria is united and whenever you have issues and challenges in Yorubaland, it usually spiral into other parts of Nigeria so, this is to demonstrate my support for the steps that are being taken and also to let them know that I’m committed to unity in Yorubaland.”
While advising followers of the two prominent Afenifere leaders, Makinde said, “once you tie the knots at the appropriate places, every other thing will fall in place.
“Once they see the two babas come together, we won’t even need to appeal to the people because at that time you won’t have to talk much, people would have seen that the two leaders are now back together.
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