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Younger elements must not take Afenifere for granted, says Fasoranti
YOUNGER elements in Afenifere are accusing you of taking side with Akinfenwa's faction in the AD crisis instead of being a mediator... That is not correct, we have given reasons why we supported Akinfenwa. We looked at the modalities and we said the Abuja convention, which threw up Akinfenwa as AD chairman partially complied with the guidelines for the convention. We are not talking about Akinfenwa as a person. I think they are being mischievous, they are ignorant of the reasons we gave before we took that decision. On what basis are you supporting him, knowing that Akinfenwa did not show interest in the chairmanship position until a week after the ward, local and state congresses? Akinfenwa was not supposed to organise congresses at ward, local, or state levels. The congresses were organised and delegates that emerged went to Abuja in response to call for a national convention. And from evidence at our disposal, about 28 states were represented at the Abuja convention. The delegates' names were sent to INEC and accredited. Besides, the committee fixed the convention in Abuja and not in Lagos. But suddenly, there was announcement that another convention would take place in Lagos. That cast some doubt on the genuiness of the Lagos convention. In any case, if they knew that the Lagos convention was legal why are they calling for fresh convention? But it was not Akande's faction that called for a new convention but INEC... No! INEC would not have called for a fresh convention if the Lagos convention had not been held. In any case, we stated in our statement that they are using money to influence things. But ours is based on the principle of truth. Are you aware that delegates from 36 states including Abuja and former AD governors attended the Lagos convention? Don't forget my argument. I said that the Abuja convention was partially in conformity with the party's constitution. That is the basis. They took a decision and they are changing it. Is that correct? And that has compounded the whole system. Are you aware that a congress of the Afenifere is coming up in Lagos on Tuesday where you may be likely removed? I'm not aware of such congress. As I have pointed out earlier, we took the Akure decision based on the evidence at our disposal about the Abuja convention and the guidelines the party gave at that time. Therefore, for us to change our decision, they have to convince us that the reason for holding this fresh convention is the right decision in the interest of the party. We are being taken for granted. And this is very unfortunate. We remain loyal to Chief Awolowo throughout his life time, we never took him for granted. It is alleged that your position is being influenced by forces comprising Adebanjo, Falae, Adefarati ... That is an insult on my person. I have my own conviction. The people you mentioned are reasonable people. I'm being used for what? Is it for money, what kind of money do I want at my age? Is it fame? What kind of fame do I want? I think they are just using cheap blackmail. Are you aware that Afenifere has no constitutional role to choose AD national chairman? Are you also aware that Afenifere is the backbone of the AD especially in the South-West? Do you know that some of the politicians got to their current positions through the influence of Afenifere in 1999 and later destroyed the foundation which led to the lost of elections in the South-West because they hijacked the machinery of the AD? We have a role to ensure peace in AD. Afenifere formed the AD. Is Senator Adesanya aware of all these developments? Yes. I have been briefing him on a daily basis on the happenings in Afenifere. It was alleged that Adesanya was not happy with you over the Akure decision. No, I briefed him on the activities of the group. There is no question of losing face because I'm standing in for him. Is it true that your leadership is being used to fight the ideals and followers of the late Bola Ige? No. Bola Ige was my personal friend. He was my student. I taught him at Ibadan Grammer School. We used to visit each other regularly during his life time and I find no fault in him at all. I have no plan to erase his ideals or oppose him, we were close. Have you been able to meet the Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, the surviving governor of the AD? No, I have made several attempts to see him, but it has not worked. I don't know whether Tinubu does not want to see me. It is very difficult to reach him.
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