Afenifere’ ll bounce back – Bucknor-Akerele

FORMER Deputy Governor of Lagos State and a stalwart of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, has asked those who say that Afenifere is no longer relevant in the affairs of the Yoruba Nation, to have a rethink. Reason: ‘’We are a resilient people and we don’t give up when we fight for just causes until we

 triumph.
’’Reconciliation summit Bucknor-Akerele, who described leaders of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) as fake Awoists, spoke to Vanguard on the backdrop of the resignation of Afenifere Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti (who has accepted to withdraw his resignation) and comments by ARG Chairman, Hon. Wale Oshun, enjoining all Yoruba patriots to rally round the ARG to promote, protect and ensure the development of Yoruba people.

Oshun said in a statement: ‘’The statement by our elder, Chief Reuben Fasoranti that the Afenifere he led has derailed has confirmed our worst fears of what we had always known since the IITA reconciliation summit of 2006. The failure of that summit provided the groundswell for the reluctant emergence of Afenifere Renewal Group.

‘’Afenifere has now clearly exhibited itself as an out of touch institution whose lack of rudder has led to a total derailment from the fundamental values upon which it was built. Chief Fasoranti’s exit as the leader of Afenifere is a clear indication that the organisation has come to roost.

‘We in Afenifere Renewal Group had seen the need for a renewal of Afenifere movement, anchored on the original philosophy of our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the legitimate voice of Yoruba people, providing the visionary, selfless and altruistic leadership that our people and land require and deserve.’’

Reacting to Oshun’s comment, Bucknor-Akerele said: ‘’That is absolute nonsense. How can they say that the ARG will pursue the philosophy of Pa Awo? All the while they never went to pa Awolowo’s house to attend the meetings called by Mama Awolowo. It was when Mama died that they showed up. They are fake Awoists.’’

On comments that Afenifere is dead with the emergence of the Afenifere Renewal Group, she said: ‘’That is not true. Afenifere is the real Afenifere. ARG is just a group that was brought in to destabilise Afenifere for political purposes.’’ The senators also picked holes in comments that since Afenifere supported former President Goodluck Jonathan in the last election that with his loss, Afenifere has lost political relevance and clout in the South-West.

‘’That is absolute nonsense. It is just like when Awolowo was supposedly defeated with the 12 two-third  people said Awo was almost dead. Awo is more alive today than at any other time. Afenifere are very resilient people, they don’t give. Afenifere was part of NADECO, they fought for democracy in this country, I was part of that group.

Therefore, you can say we don’t give up, we are fighters. We believe that when our cause is just that we will triumph in the end just like democracy triumphed in the end after our struggle.’’

Bucknor-Akerele also dismissed as balderdash impressions that since most Afenifere leaders are in their 70s and 80s there may be nobody to hand the baton of leadership to in the near future. “There are young people in Afenifere, who have been very vocal and who no doubt will eventually take over the leadership of the group,’’ she assured.