Sam Philip
Afenifere has appointed Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the successor of the late Leader of the group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
This was revealed in a communique jointly signed by Chief Sola Ebiseni and Justice Faloye, Secretary General and National Publicity Secretary of the group respectively on Tuesday.
At the regular monthly General Meeting of the group on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the country home of the late Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, the delegates approved the appointment.
According to the communique, Oba Oladipo Olaitan will be working in acting capacity pending the final burial of the late 96-year-old Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
At the meeting, which was attended by delegates from the six South West states, Kogi, Kwara and the Itsekiri of Delta State, Afenifere, formerly formally briefed the delegates of the demise of The Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Afenifere “proudly acknowledged the enviable contributions of our the late Leader to nation-building as reflected by the glowing tributes in his memory from all walks of life within Nigeria and the world over.”
They therefore commiserated with the children and the immediate family members of our Leader and applauded them for their untiring courteous engagement of large number of people who daily throng the Lekki, Lagos and Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State residence of our great Leader.
The delegates “considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.”
The communique reads inter alia: “Oba Olaitan was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, a Political Adviser to Governor Lateef Jakande and 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.
“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.”
According to the communique, Oba Olaitan “in his acceptance speech, the new Leader committed himself 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.”
Afenifere decried the incessant kidnap incidents between Ondo and Kogi states, charging the governor’s of both states to arrest the situation.
The communique reads: “Afenifere decried the worsening security situation in the country. Members 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.
“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 delegates in attendance include The Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, 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, Chief Olusegun Olawoyin.