By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
A traditional ruler in Osun State and former member of the House of Representatives’ between 1999 and 2003, Oba Oladipo Olaitan has been appointed as the new leader of the pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.
Oba Olaitan replaces the immediate past Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who died a few days ago.
The appointment was contained in a communique issued at the end of the monthly general meeting of Afenifere held at the lsanya Ogbo, in Ogun state, the country home of its late leader, Pa Adebanjo.
The Meeting was attended by delegates from the six South West states, Kogi, Kwara and the Itsekiri of Delta State
The communique issued after the meeting vindicated that Oba Olaitan will function as the Leader in acting capacity till after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo when he will assume the office as substantive Leader
The communique was jointly signed by the group’s Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni and it’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye.
The communique reads, “the meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.
“Oba Olaitan was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, a Political Adviser to Governor Lateef Jakande and a member of the Lagos State Executive Council 1979 – 1983; elected Member House of Representatives and Leader of AD in the House 1999 – 2003.
“He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years serving in various capacities including the National Financial Secretary, under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Deputy Leader under Chief Ayo Adebanjo”.
In his acceptance speech, the new expressed his commitment to the ideals of Afenifere as a social-political organisation and unrelenting advocate of restructuring and true federalism adding that he would ensure the unity of the organisation.
On security, the group decried the worsening security situation in the country.
The meeting received reports of a young man, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the videos of whose ordeal, in the den of kidnappers have been on social media for almost a week.
According to the communique, the Meeting called on “the governments of Ondo and Kogi States, around which common boundaries the kidnapping was reported to have taken place, and the relevant security agencies to act without further delay and ensure the rescue and safety of the young man.
The Afenifere acknowledged the enviable contributions of its late Leader, Pa Adebanjo, to nation-building as reflected by the glowing tributes in his memory from all walks of life within Nigeria and the world over.
The group commiserated with the children and the immediate family members of the late leader and applauded them for their untiring courteous engagement of a large number of people who daily throng the Lekki Lagos and Isanya-Ogbo Ogun State residence of “our great Leader”.
Among those in attendance at the meeting were; Senator Femi Okunrounmu Senator Gbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Pekun Awobona, Chief Tola Mobolurin, Tokunbo Ajasin, Engr. Bayo Adenekan, Hon Leke Mabinuori, Olayemi Olajuyinu; Olu Pessu and Chief Olusegun Olawoyin.
