The action of the octogenarian, which was disclosed in a statement he personally signed and addressed to the Secretary of the organisation, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, and other officers, took immediate effect.
Fasoranti, who became the leader of the group after the death of Chief Abraham Adesanya, declared that with the statement, he has since stopped being the chairman of the foremost Yoruba organisation formed in 1951 under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to the octogenarian, the organisation was formed to serve as an umbrella to be used to actualise the dream of a great nation and the Yoruba race.
“Over the years, Yorubas have tried to focus on a common goal. Chief Awolowo tried to ensure the oneness of our people with a lot of efforts notwithstanding the challenges he faced in the process. Unfortunately, he passed on without actualising this dream,” he said.
Fasoranti, said he joined Afenifere from inception with leaders of Yoruba race including Pa Onasanya, Alhaji Ganiyu Daodu, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Sam Sonibare, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire among others.
He, however, noted that as events have been unfolding in the past few years, the focus and goals of the founding fathers of the great organsation ‘Afenifere’ were gradually eroding.
“This therefore made it herculean task for our members to work in unity. Several efforts were made to ensure the actualisation of the Afenifere goals, but it appeared that we have not succeeded in achieving this. This is basically due to reasons best known to our members individually.
“Let me state clearly that the issue of adoption of the National Conference report had always been the focus and goal of our people in Afenifere even long before the National Conference was set up. The support of a leader who promised to implement this report was therefore not a mistake and inevitable despite all public insinuations.
“Considering my age, efforts and selfless dedication to my country, my state (Ondo), my political parties, my past leaders and my members in Afenifere both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, I hereby wish to inform you all that I have decided to step aside as leader of our great organisation Afenifere,” he said
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Politics