POLITICS | NIGERIA | NOVEMBER 2, 2026

Oba Olu Falae says Afenifere is not discussing leadership succession following the death of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, insisting that Yoruba tradition requires the late leader to be buried before a successor can emerge.

Chairman of the National Executive Committee of Afenifere, Oba Olu Falae, has dismissed reports of an impending leadership crisis and possible breakaway within the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation following the death of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Falae described reports of disagreements over who should succeed Fasoranti and plans to establish a separate organisation known as Afenifere Independent as speculation and fake news.

Recent reports had suggested that some members were considering consolidating the organisation's leadership under Oba Oladipo Olaitan. The development reportedly generated opposition among other influential members, with some allegedly considering forming a separate group.

However, Falae maintained that Afenifere had not commenced discussions about succession, stressing that such conversations would be inappropriate before the burial of its deceased leader.

According to him, Yoruba cultural values and the established traditions of Afenifere require that a deceased traditional ruler, chief or organizational leader must first be buried before questions about succession are considered.

He explained that Fasoranti's remains were yet to be laid to rest and that genuine members of the organization would not be preoccupied with leadership replacement at this stage.

Falae further disclosed that arrangements were underway to constitute committees involving the government, Afenifere representatives and members of Fasoranti's family to coordinate a befitting burial.

He emphasized that organizing the burial remained the organization’s immediate priority, warning that those promoting succession discussions before the ceremony were not acting in Afenifere's interest.

Despite dismissing the reported disagreements, Falae expressed confidence that the organization would eventually produce a new leader after Fasoranti's burial.

He explained that Afenifere's leadership tradition does not necessarily involve competitive elections, campaigns or contested positions. Instead, a successor traditionally emerges through collective recognition and acceptance by members.

To illustrate this practice, Falae recalled previous leadership transitions within the organization.

He noted that following the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Adekunle Ajasin emerged as leader and received the acceptance of prominent political figures, including former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande and former Ogun State Governor Olabisi Onabanjo.

He added that Senator Abraham Adesanya subsequently emerged after Ajasin's death, while Fasoranti became Adesanya's successor when the latter's health deteriorated.

Falae insisted that the same established tradition would guide the emergence of Fasoranti's successor, expressing confidence that the process would not degenerate into a leadership contest.

Political Implications

The development comes at a sensitive period for Afenifere, an influential Yoruba socio-political organization whose leadership and political positions have historically played significant roles in national conversations.

Although Falae has dismissed reports of an impending split, the emergence of competing succession narratives highlights the importance of consensus, internal dialogue and respect for the organization’s established traditions.

How Afenifere manages the transition following Fasoranti's burial could have implications for its unity, political influence and ability to maintain a common position on national issues.

For now, Falae's position is clear: the organization should prioritize honoring its late leader before addressing questions about who will succeed him.

Note:

Afenifere's leadership transition is emerging as an important test of unity within the Yoruba socio-political establishment. While Oba Olu Falae insists that succession discussions must wait until after Pa Reuben Fasoranti's burial, the reported disagreements demonstrate the importance of consensus in preserving the organisation's unity and political relevance.

Source: LEADERSHIP Newspaper. Read the original report.