I'm sad over drift in Afenifere — Fasoranti

•Sets up reconciliation, unity c'ttee

FORMER National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, yesterday, expressed sadness over the drift within the group and called for urgent restoration to steer it away from the current trajectory.

Pa Fasoranti said this during the group's meeting held at his country home, in Akure, Ondo State.

He said: "Since I appointed my brother, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan as acting leader and deputy leader respectively, about three years ago, a lot has happened. 

"A noticeable drift away from our core values of consultation, brotherliness and camaraderie and traditional process of conducting the business of the organization, upon which our collegial system of leadership is based, has been severely threatened.

"This threat has been further exacerbated by more recent events, culminating in a fracture of the traditional backbone of the organization.

"I am sorry to say, without mincing words, that our organization is in a sorry state and requires urgent restoration effort to steer it away from the current trajectory. 

"This wasn't my vision or expectation when I appointed the acting leader and deputy leader. And to say that I am sad and disappointed at the turn of events is an understatement.

"I am particularly disturbed because unless we take urgent remedial action, the future looks very bleak and the necessary resources to revamp our organization are being depleted by the day. 

"I have called you here, therefore, as leaders and responsible members of this organisation, to challenge yourself to find a lasting solution to the current impasse.

"I implore you to engage frankly and honestly in the spirit of comradeship and mutual respect for which we are well known and upon which this organization is founded.

"With determination and commitment, I believe you are all able to find a solution that will propel Afenifere to greater heights. To keep Afenifere one is a task that must be achieved by us all."

Sets up reconciliation committee

Meanwhile, a communique issued after the meeting, said: "Afenifere is to be reinvigorated to be stronger and be able to continue to fulfil its mandate of being the vanguard for the Yoruba race.

"To achieve this, a Committee is to be set up to achieve reconciliation and unity.

"Afenifere is an ideological movement. It is not a political party. 

"Deviation from the basic principles of Afenifere has been responsible for the undesirable turn of events in the last two years.

"Arising from the above, Afenifere is to be brought back to its core values and tradition.