Afenifere/YCE: The Politics of A Merger
After about three years of operating a parallel relationship, leaders of the two major pan Yoruba socio-political organisations, Afenifere and Yoruba Council of Elders(YCE), have resolved to close ranks and work together for the unity and progress of the Yoruba nation. Olawale Olaleye writes on the significance of the merger and the new pact between the hitherto estranged organisations
That Afenifere, a pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, is going through some reforms is not in anyway unexpected. Since the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) acclaimed 'landslide victory' in South-west geo-political zone in the last elections, a development that met both Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) unaware, the group has not ruled out any option on how to launch a come-back and re-claim its stronghold. This is coupled with the fact that Afenifere, all things being equal, is determined to remain the mainstream in the politics of the region.
On its part, the Yoruba Council of Elders(YCE), which came into existence with the active support of the former Minister of Justice, Late Chief Bola Ige, who had a strained relationship with the leadership of Afenifere as a result of the aftermath of the 1999 presidential primaries of the Alliance for Democracy(AD), has also been working towards reconciling with Afenifere.
In that primaries held to choose the presidential flagbearer of AD from the South-west, leaders of Afenifere voted for the emergence of Chief Oluyemisi Falae against Ige, who was the deputy leader of the pan Yoruba organisation.
Ige eventually secured a slot in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo-led federal government and consequently floated the YCE as a parallel socio- political organisation in the South-west.
Until YCE came into being, Afenifere was the sole mouth-piece of the Yoruba people. With their reconciliation, the era of discordant tunes from the South-west on matters of regional and national importance may have become a thing of the past.
The Affair Before Now
Whatever may have existed between Afenifere and YCE did not manifest until the jostle for re-election in 2003 took the centre stage. At that point, the zone's politics had been polarised with Afenifere and YCE aligning with different camps. While Afenifere stood by AD, the YCE pitched its tent with President Olusegun Obasanjo and by implication, the PDP.
With time, positions of the two groups began to manifest as they held opposing views on issues of interest to the zone. While Afenifere did not express support for the re-election of President Olusegun Obasanjo, YCE gave his re-election bid a full support. For instance, Pa Abraham Adesanya, leader of Afenifere though enjoyed cordial relationship with the Obasanjo, for political reasons, he was not in Ota before the 2003 general elections while Pa Alayande, was among those who went to "beg" the president to seek re-election.
Equally, each time Afenifere gave a position on any issue and such bordered on the president or his administration, the YCE would come out to give a contrary position. And as this continued, it became clearer, that all was not well between the two groups, notwithstanding, they belong to the same ethnic group and even claimed to speak for the zone. However, while this lasted, it did not affect, at least publicly, the relationship among individual members of the two groups.
...The Road to Reconciliation
Afenifere during one of its meetings in Ijebu-Igbo, home town of its substantive leader, Pa Adesanya, instructed its leader to reconsider the need to reconcile with YCE as such would mark a successful point in the life of the group, more so when it was thinking of reforms and re-direction for Afenifere.
Following that charge, a committee was set up to work out the possibilities of reconciliation and report back.
As Afenifere progressed with its plans, YCE too stepped up efforts to unite with the group. Thus, the merger which finally came had little or no hitches.
Indication that the reconciliation between the two groups was only a matter of time came when the leadership of Afenifere went to Ibadan on a condolence visit to the YCE leader over the death of the former Secretary General of YCE, Late Justice Adewale Thompson. Analysts saw the visit as an olive branch from Afenifere. The two groups saw the occasion as an opportunity to speak on the need for the them to come together in the interest of the Yoruba.
Last Tuesday, when leaders of the two groups finally converged on Ibadan to chart a new course, it was seen as a fait accompli.
Apart from resolving to settle their difference and forge a common front, the leaders of the two organisations, who gathered on Ibadan also resolved to evolve a new "Yoruba Agenda".
The meeting, which was held at the residence of the YCE President, Pa Emmanuel Alayande had in attendance the acting Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who was accompanied by Chief Olu Falae, Chief Wunmi Adegbomire, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Alhaji Ganiyu Dawudu, Mr. Yinka Odumakin and Mr. Jimi Agbaje.
Also in attendance were key members of the YCE including, Pa Alayande, Maj-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo(rtd), Dr. Kunle Olajide and Chief Richard Akinjide.
Others at the meeting include Prof. Jacob Ade-Ajayi, Prof. Toun Ogunseye, Prof. A Oyediran, Chief Tunji Otegbeye, Chief Deinde Arogbola, Sir Kola Adegbola and Dr. Dejo Raimi, amongst others.
The meeting resolved as follows: "That the acrimony of the past be buried for the of the unity and progress of Yorubaland; that the two organisations should work together henceforth for the progress of Yorubaland; to this effect, a committee of the two bodies has been approved members to be nominated within two weeks and a proposal on Yoruba agenda to be drawn by the joint body; that the next meeting should be enlarged to include other critical leaders of the Yoruba organisations; and that both sides reviewed the meeting and concluded that a new chapter has been opened in Yoruba socio-political landscape".
Immediately the merger came into being, Afenifere and YCF, not only set up a committee, they also called for memoranda from members of the zone. The two groups in a statement jointly signed by Olajide, acting Secretary for YCE and Mr. Odumakin, Afenifere's National Administrative Secretary, said they were delighted at the positive and overwhelming response of Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora to their merger, adding that what brought them together has proven to be stronger than what separated them. They however described the merger as a lesson for the country to emulate.
According to the statement, they said "like cold water to a thirsty soul, the event has rekindled great hope in our people over the Yoruba project and provided a healing balm to the long agony over Yoruba unity.
"For our dear country, Nigeria, this is another lesson to learn from the Yoruba way and if a national dialogue were convoked today, tension would go down all over Nigeria, as all groups would be preparing their positions to be able to ventilate their views", they stated. The group re-assured all the people that they appreciate the challenge the new initiative (the merger) has brought about, promising to do everything possible within their powers to ensure that their hope was not dashed.
Also, because of the need to ensure that things were done according to expectations, a committee was constituted with five from each side to collate memoranda from members of the public. The committee include, from Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and Chief Supo Shobanire. Others from YCE are Chief Richard Akinjide, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Prof. Toun Ogunseye, Prof. Kayode Oyediran and Dr. Dejo Raimi.
The reconciled groups hinged the call for memoranda on the need to afford other people in the country, who may not belong to either of the groups and yet, want to contribute to the resuscitation of values in Yorubaland as well as reshaping the nation's economy, education, health, infrastructure, cultural beliefs and the political direction the opportunity to do so.
Reactions
Reactions have continued to trail the historic merger of the two groups. Shortly after the Ibadan meeting, leaders of both Afenifere and YCE praised the initiative and courage of both parties to bury their difference in the interest of the Yoruba.
Expressing delight at the outcome of the meeting, Fasoranti described it as historic and the "beginning of changes in Yoruba land".
He added that the two groups will not only continue to meet on a regular basis, but have also resolved to work together to defend what he called the "Yoruba agenda".
"The significance of the meeting is that the YCE and Afenifere have decided to have work closer together than before for the welfare of the Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
"In the past, we were working as parallel organisation and now we think it is time we came together and discuss what joins us together and what separates us", he stated.
Describing the meeting as a new vista in the unity of the Yoruba nation, Pa Alayande said "it was highly successful. We had good deliberations and it would be sustained. We have always been together and we shall continue as brothers. I am particularly impressed that the leadership(Afenifere) made good their word to come here".
Akinjide, on his part, described the meeting as a gathering of "two brothers. Afenifere is a political party and YCE is not. What we have had here today is a family meeting of Yoruba. It is for the unity of Yoruba and it is good for Yoruba land".
Implications of the Merger
There is no doubt that with the merger, the Yoruba may have begun to chart a new political course. Before now, the two groups maintained different positions on issues. But with the new development, it is clear they might begin to speak with one voice and by implication, become stronger in the quest to protect the interest of the zone. Political analysts have also argued that, had the two groups been together before the elections, the losses that AD suffered may not have arisen.
However, questions on the professed philosophy and ideals of the two groups keep re-surfacing. For instance, questions has been asked about the possibility of the groups reconciling their positions on both regional and local politics? What name will the merger have? Would they retain their individual names or come up with a new identity? Observers are also interested in what the modus operandi of the merger would be?
Above all, some observers are skeptical about how long the two can hold fort on the merger?
Nevertheless, the Yoruba have again not only covered another mileage in the annals of the nation's body polity, but proven that it has and would always maintain the lead in constructive political development such that connotes dexterity and maturity of purpose. Even though, the Yoruba, based on the principle of power rotation and shift, may not be eligible to contest the 2007 election as stated by President Obasanjo, with last week's merger of the two dominant socio-political groups in the South-west, the Yoruba may have been positioned as the ultimate determinant of where political power shifts.
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