Oba Olu Falae Emerges New Afenifere Chairman, Promises Unity, Renewed Advocacy For Restructuring

AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA – The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has appointed Oba Olu Falae, traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure North, Ondo State and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), as the new Chairman of its National Executive Committee.

Oba Falae’s appointment was announced during Afenifere’s monthly meeting held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Akure residence of the group’s national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, described the appointment as a strategic move aimed at revitalizing the group’s activities and realigning them with its founding mission.

“Oba Falae’s appointment is meant to reinvigorate the organisation with a view to ensuring that the House of Oduduwa is back on track to project the Yoruba mandate,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi praised Oba Falae as a seasoned administrator and elder statesman, noting that his extensive experience in public service, particularly as SGF, would greatly benefit the organization.

The Afenifere leadership used the occasion to reaffirm its longstanding demand for the restructuring of Nigeria, insisting that it is the most viable path to address the country’s growing security and governance crises.

“We are therefore calling on the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to set the machinery in motion to restructure the country as a matter of urgency,” Ajayi emphasized.

In his acceptance remarks, Oba Falae expressed deep gratitude to Pa Fasoranti and the Afenifere leadership for the trust placed in him. He pledged to work towards reconciling all factions within the organization.

“By the grace of God and with the support of Afenifere and the Yoruba nation, we’ll succeed in bringing the other groups, everybody together,” Falae stated. “I intend to do all I can to bring all factions of Afenifere together in Papa’s lifetime.”

Also speaking at the meeting, Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Apagun Kole Omololu, expressed optimism that Falae’s leadership would usher in a new era of unity and strengthen the Yoruba agenda across the region.

Oba Falae’s emergence as chairman comes at a pivotal time, as Afenifere seeks to consolidate its influence and present a united front on key issues affecting the South-West and the nation at large.