2027: Afenifere declares support for Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called for a free, fair and credible election in 2027, just as the organisation endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in office.
Afenifere, according to a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday, made this known in a communique issued at the end of its caucus meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday.
Declaring support for Tinubu, Afenifere said, “After reviewing the activities of the present administration at the federal level and the current political landscape, Afenifere declared that it is endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term. It then urged every voter to support the move.
“The body stated that it took this decision because of its strong belief that the President is committed to restructuring Nigeria to enhance economic prosperity and inclusivity, deepen democracy, tackle insecurity and criminality, restore hope in Nigeria and make the country one that every citizen would be proud of.”
While urging the Federal Government and all security agencies to guarantee a peaceful voting environment in 2027, the organisation also admonished politicians to allow peace to reign before, during and after the elections.
“Ahead of the upcoming polls, Afenifere reiterated its unwavering commitment to a free, fair and credible electoral process.
“It then called on politicians and players on the political turf to go about their electioneering campaigns peacefully. Electioneering should be devoid of violence, thuggery and character assassination,” the communique read.
The meeting viewed with grave concern the recent treasonable threats by bandits and terrorists to disrupt the forthcoming general elections as revealed by the Department of State Services during its meetings with some religious groups in Osun State.
Afenifere strongly declared that Nigeria’s democratic journey must not be derailed by criminals or any other elements.
“We charge the Federal Government and all security agencies to decisively eliminate these threats to guarantee a peaceful voting environment.
“Just as we charge players on the political terrain to ensure that they allow peace to reign before, during and after the elections,” it stated.
The organisation also condemned the recent horrific terror attack on a military base on Igbeti-Igboho road in Oyo and other parts of the country, especially the Middle Belt and the North East.
Afenifere therefore called for an immediate, aggressive security sweep of the axis to permanently flush out criminal elements hiding in the borderlands and surrounding forests.
“The caucus strongly condemns the recent horrific terror attack on a military base on Igbeti-Igboho Road, Oyo State and in other parts of the country, especially the Middle Belt and the North East.
“The meeting called for an immediate, aggressive security sweep of the axis to permanently flush out criminal elements hiding in the borderlands and the surrounding forests.
“Searchlight should be beamed on alleged collaborators of bandits. Sponsors of illegal mining should also be profiled, as there seem to be allegations that people are being forced out of their lands only for mining to start taking place almost immediately after the people were displaced by bandits,” it added.
Speaking on farmers/herders clashes, the apex Yoruba organisation solicited the support of the Federal Government for state governments that have passed anti-open grazing laws, enabling them to enforce these laws without further delay or encumbrances.
It explained that the call was based on the reports of unrelenting farmer-herder clashes in remote border communities and fringes of some Yorubaland, notably in Kwara, Ondo, Osun and Ogun states and particularly in Ibarapa, Egbeda and Oke-Ogun in Oyo.
“Farmers/Herders clashes in the same vein, the apex Yoruba organisation solicited the support of the federal government for the state governments that have passed anti-open grazing laws to enable them to enforce these laws without further delay or encumbrances,” Afenifere stated.
It also reiterated its position on ensuring that the Yoruba language is spoken widely and that communication in the language, verbal and literary, is enhanced.
“Yoruba Language again, Afenifere reiterated its position on ensuring that Yoruba language is spoken widely and communication in the language, verbal and literary, is enhanced.
“Towards this end, the organisation is rolling out some programmes, among which is the Yoruba Language Renaissance Trust Fund that the body is setting up,” it added.
The meeting expressed appreciation for the hospitality provided by its leader, Chief Fasoranti and prayed for many more years for him in good health and joy.
The body, once again, congratulated Chief Fasoranti for clocking 100 years on earth on May 11, 2026.
Afenifere said its leader, Chief Fasoranti, also expressed his appreciation to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, state governors and many other eminent Nigerians and institutions who celebrated with him on the occasion.
“He (Fasoranti) thanked former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Segun Osoba, who chaired the lecture, as well as Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and Prof. Ropo Sekoni, who delivered the birthday lectures in Lagos.
“The meeting congratulated Oba Olu Falae on his 88th birthday, which came up on September 21, 2026 and wished him many more decades of a joyful life,” Afenifere added.
Those who attended the meeting were representatives from all the states in Yorubaland, viz: Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Osun and Ondo states, including the former Secretary General of the body, Seinde Arogbofa, former governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko, former Osun State deputy governor, Iyiola Omisore, among others.
