Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has proscribed the two positions held within the group by Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
Afenifere also told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put immediate machinery in motion for the purpose of restructuring Nigeria.
National leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said on Wednesday during the group’s monthly general meeting at his residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital that in the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, the positions of acting leader and deputy leader being held by Adebanjo have now been abrogated.
In their places, the group has set up Afenifere Elders Caucus comprising 21 members, adding that the responsibilities and authority of advising the Afenifere leader and Asiwaju Yoruba had been vested in the caucus.
Members of the Elders Caucus included himself (Fasoranti) as the chairman with the other members being Chief Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Senator C.O Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Lieutenant General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Major General Olu Bajowa (rtd) and Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi.
Others were Professor Banji Akintoye, Dr. S.A.J Ibikunle, Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Professor Ropo Sekoni, Lekan Alabi and Dr. Kunle Olajide.
A communique issued after the meeting and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, explained that a motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State and was seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States.
“When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried,” he said.
The body said the unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscored the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.
“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatized hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira would have been prevented.
“Afenifere again reiterated that the time for Restructuring the country is now. It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.
“The organization took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal,” the communique said.
The group also resolved that there was an urgent need to rework the Security Architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.
“Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such.
“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.
“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.
“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining, for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around.
“Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatised hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira preventable.”
According to the Communique, the meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Have set up a 1,144-strong Nomad Vigilante militia in Nasarawa ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.
“Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have power to do a thing like that. It, therefore, considered the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.
“The meeting expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be giving the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria.
“Among the means of achieving this are taking steps that would strengthen the value of our currency, the Naira, reduce costs of energy (fuel in particular) through local production of petroleum products as well as regular supply of electricity.”
In view of the current high cost of living, Afenifere urged the federal government, through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies, to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of naira, enhance productivity, reduce costs of items