The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has appointed Oba Oladipo Olaitan as its new leader following the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
The appointment was announced during the group’s monthly general meeting held at Adebanjo’s country home in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
Delegates from the six South-West states, as well as Kogi, Kwara, and the Itsekiri of Delta State, were in attendance as the group formally acknowledged Adebanjo’s contributions to nation-building.
Afenifere extended condolences to his family and commended them for their hospitality in receiving numerous mourners at his residences in Lekki, Lagos, and Isanya Ogbo.
Oba Olaitan, a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1971, has been an active member of Afenifere for over 45 years. His political career includes serving as Political Adviser to former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, a member of the Lagos State Executive Council (1979–1983), and a member of the House of Representatives (1999–2003), where he led the Alliance for Democracy (AD) caucus. He previously held roles as Afenifere’s National Financial Secretary and later as Deputy Leader under Adebanjo’s leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Olaitan reaffirmed Afenifere’s commitment to restructuring and true federalism, pledging to maintain unity within the organisation. He will serve as acting leader until after Adebanjo’s final burial, when he will officially assume the position.
On security, Afenifere condemned the rising insecurity across Nigeria, highlighting the recent kidnapping of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, whose ordeal has circulated on social media for nearly a week. The group urged the Ondo and Kogi State governments, alongside security agencies, to take immediate action to secure Ojajuni’s release and ensure public safety.
The meeting was attended by notable figures including Senators Femi Okunrounmu and Gbenga Kaka, former Ogun State Deputy Governor, as well as other prominent Afenifere members.
