Yoruba Pan Socio Group ‘Afenifere’ Not Obidient – Biodun Showunmi

An expert on public affairs named Biodun Sowunmi claims that Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, is neither “Obidient” or in favor of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, in the run-up to the 2023 general election.

“How is Afenifere able to obey? Undoubtedly, Papa Ayo Adebanjo is obedient. It is only a small number of them,” Sowunmi stated on Monday’s Sunrise Daily episode of Channels Television.

Additionally, he said Adebanjo supported former Anambra State governor Obi without seeking the approval of Afenifere chieftains.

The problem is that Chief Ayo Adebanjo hasn’t been bringing other leaders along for talks. That is the core of the issue, said Sowunmi.

The analyst pointed out that Afenifere has adopted a position following Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s support of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on October 30, 2022.

He said that 96-year-old Fasoranti, not 94-year-old Adebanjo, is still in charge of Afenifere.

He explained, “Papa Ayo Adebanjo is an acting leader, he was never named the substantive head of Afenifere.

Sowunmi also charged Adebanjo of joining forces with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the leading Igbo sociocultural organization.

“The first issue is not about Obi; it is about Ohanifere, that’s forming an umbrella between Afenifere and Ohanaeze,” he said.

However, an Afenifere chieftain, Gboyega Adejumo, who spoke alongside Sowunmi on the programme on Monday, said Fasoranti handed over Afenifere leadership to Adebanjo in March 2021.

Adejumo said contrary to Sowunmi’s position, Adebanjo has spoken for Afenifere and the group is “fully Obidient”.