Reuben Fasoranti, a leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said his utmost concern is the unity and interest of the Yoruba race, amid talks of a division among the group’s leadership. 

Mr Fasoranti, who spoke in a statement issued in Akure, Ondo State capital, by his aide, Abiola Adedapo, added that his main concern was the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation. 

“Papa’s main concern is the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation 

in Nigeria. It is also his concern that Afenifere should survive in dignity and remain a purveyor of the interest of the Yoruba race,” part of the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette on Thursday evening, read. 

The nonagenarian also denied that his successor, Ayo Adebanjo, has been removed as the acting leader of the Afenifere.

Mr Fasoranti’s comment came amid the split in the organisation following the purported endorsement of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by leaders of the pan-Yoruba group. 

Mr Tinubu, who visited the Afenifere leaders, last week Sunday, had personally received the “blessing” of Mr Fasoranti at his country home in Akure, during a close door meeting, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

The support of the elder statesman for Mr Tinubu comes weeks after Ayo Adebanjo, the acting leader of the group endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidency.

Mr Adebanjo, who was announced the acting leader of the group in March 2021, after Mr Fasoranti stepped down from the group’s leadership, had said he was supporting the LP candidate based on principle and equity. 

“The South-West, as I have pointed out, has produced a president and currently sits as VP; the South-South has spent a total of six years in the presidency, but the Igbo people of the South-East have never tasted presidency in Nigeria, and now that the power is due back in the South, equity demands that it be ceded to the Igbo,” he said. 

But during Mr Tinubu’s visit, the Afenifere leaders led by Mr Fasoranti declared that the former two-term governor of Lagos State is their “son” and would rather support him. 

Speaking on behalf of the Afenifere at the meeting, Seinde Arogbofa, a former Secretary General of Afenifere told Mr Tinubu to be a leader that will unite Nigeria and work for the progress and development of the country. 

“You are not just a Yoruba man but a Nigerian. When you become President take Nigeria into consideration in all you do but never forget home. Our demands are what you know already. Restructuring, security and fixing the economy. Our country is no longer safe. We want state police so that the country will be safe,” Mr Arogbofa posited. 

Critics have continued to see the differing endorsements from Messrs Fasoranti and Adebanjo as another confusion among the Yoruba elites propelled by politics and personal interests, other than the region’s interest.