The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) on Monday night said the resignation of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has confirmed its worst fears that the group had derailed.
Fasoranti resigned on Sunday, citing “membership disloyalty” and “gradual erosion of the group’s goals”.
Reacting to the news of the Afenifere leader’s resignation, the ARG, which is a breakaway faction of the pan-Yoruba group, said it was committed to the philosophy of the group as espoused by its founding fathers.
In a statement by its Chairman, Wale Oshun, titled: In ARG, Afenifere philosophy stands underailed, the group said: “The statement by our elder, Chief Reuben Fasoranti that the Afenifere he led has derailed has confirmed our worst fears of what we had always known since the IITA reconciliation summit of 2006.
“The failure of that summit provided the groundswell for the reluctant emergence of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).
“Afenifere has now clearly exhibited itself as an out of touch institution whose lack of rudder has led to a total derailment from the fundamental values upon which it was built.
“Chief Fasoranti’s exit as the leader of Afenifere is a clear indication that the organisation has come to roost.
“We in Afenifere Renewal Group had seen the need for a renewal of Afenifere movement, anchored on the original philosophy of our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the legitimate voice of Yoruba people, providing the visionary, selfless and altruistic leadership that our people and land require and deserve.
“At this very critical period in the history of Nigeria and our people, we in the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) will continue the pursuit of the lofty ideals enunciated by the founders of Afenifere at its inception in Owo in 1951.
“We call on all well intentioned YORUBA people to steer away from the unhealthy recriminations of the past, inhered in unwholesome ego, dividing our people and enabling the continuing slide from the heights hitherto attained through the vision of that great leader of all times, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the hard-work and forbearance of Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Senator Abraham Adesanya, all of blessed memories.
“There is work for us to do, says the Afenifere anthem, and we in ARG are more than prepared to focus on this.
“We therefore seek the support of all YORUBA people, including those who still retained their Omoluabi values in the old order, to join ARG in our fervent pursuit of promoting, protecting, and ensuring the development of Yoruba people and communities in all spheres of human endeavors as embodied in our watch word: ‘freedom for all; life more abundant’”.
