‎How Afenifere Will Choose Fasoranti’s Successor — Falae ‎

‎A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, has explained how the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, will choose a successor to its late leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, expressing confidence that the process will be peaceful and without a leadership struggle.

‎Falae said Afenifere had an established tradition of leadership succession in which a new leader emerged through the collective judgment of members rather than a contest for the position.

‎Speaking on the future of the organisation following Fasoranti’s death, he described Afenifere as a self-perpetuating and self-regulating organisation capable of managing its leadership transition.

‎“Afenifere is a self-perpetuating, self-regulating organisation. As leaders go, leaders come. You don’t contest or fight for the leadership of Afenifere,” he said.

‎Falae expressed confidence that the organisation would identify a suitable successor to Fasoranti without rancour, adding that members were likely to have an idea of who would emerge as the next leader.

‎“I’m sure a leader will emerge without any struggle. I’m sure if you ask many Afenifere people, they will tell you who they think will be their next leader,” he said.

‎He added, “The leadership chooses itself. It is obvious who the next leader will be. It is always so. And I hope and pray it will be so this time.”

‎To explain the organisation’s succession tradition, Falae recalled how its leadership evolved following the death of its former leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

‎He said that after Awolowo’s death, he visited the late former governor of Ogun State, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, to seek his opinion on who should lead the organisation.

‎According to Falae, Onabanjo ruled himself out of consideration, citing his poor health, and discussed other possible candidates before identifying the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin as the appropriate successor.

‎Falae said Ajasin eventually emerged as leader, adding that the same pattern continued after his death, when Chief Abraham Adesanya took over the leadership.

‎He recalled that when Adesanya became incapacitated by ill health, he nominated Fasoranti to serve as acting leader of the organisation.

‎Falae said the succession process had historically been guided by consultations and the judgment of the organisation’s leadership rather than a competitive struggle for the position.

‎He expressed hope that Afenifere would maintain the tradition as it prepares to move forward following Fasoranti’s death.

‎Describing the late leader as an exceptional statesman, Falae said Fasoranti’s passing had created a significant vacuum in the political, religious and social life of the Yoruba nation.

‎Falae, who said he had known Fasoranti intimately for more than 60 years, described him as a man of peace who was always willing to mediate in disputes, regardless of whether they arose from community affairs, the church or politics.

‎He said he had never seen Fasoranti quarrel with anyone or raise his voice at people, even during political meetings.

‎“I’m going to describe Baba Fasoranti as an exceptional generational man, one in a thousand years. I’ve known him intimately for more than 60 years. And in all that time, I’ve never heard him quarrel with anybody, shout at anyone, even in political meetings,” he said.

‎Falae also recalled Fasoranti’s generosity to indigent students while serving as the founding principal of Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School in Ondo State.

‎He said the late elder statesman allowed pupils from poor homes to complete their secondary education on credit, giving them the opportunity to receive an education despite their families’ financial difficulties.

‎According to Falae, Fasoranti’s virtues and contributions extended beyond Akure and Ondo State to the wider Yoruba nation, making his death a major loss to the people.