Afenifere Endorses Tinubu For Second Term, Demands Decisive Crackdown On Bandits Ahead Of Polls
AKURE, NIGERIA — The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The endorsement was announced in a communiqué issued following a high-profile Caucus Meeting held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Akure residence of the group’s leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
The meeting, which was chaired by the Chairman of the Afenifere Executive Committee, Oba Olu Falae, drew prominent Yoruba leaders and representatives from Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo states. Among the notable attendees were former Secretary-General Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, former Ondo State Governor Dr. Segun Mimiko, and former Osun State Deputy Governor Senator Iyiola Omisore.
According to the communiqué signed by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the group’s decision to back President Tinubu stems from a strong belief in his commitment to restructuring Nigeria, enhancing economic inclusivity, and tackling deep-seated insecurity.
Securing the Democratic Process
Afenifere expressed grave concern over recent intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding treasonable threats by bandits and terrorists aiming to disrupt the forthcoming general elections. The apex Yoruba body firmly declared that the country’s democratic journey must not be derailed by criminal elements.
“We charge the federal government and all security agencies to decisively eliminate these threats to guarantee a peaceful voting environment,” the statement read, while additionally urging political actors to ensure peace reigns before, during, and after the elections.
Furbishing Regional Security and Enforcing Grazing Laws
The caucus strongly condemned a recent terror attack on a military base along the Igbeti-Igboho Road in Oyo State, alongside ongoing violence in the Middle Belt and North East.
The group called for an aggressive security sweep of borderlands and forests to flush out criminals. Furthermore, they urged the federal government to investigate the alleged links between banditry, land displacement, and illegal mining.
To address persistent farmer-herder clashes in parts of Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo states (particularly Ibarapa, Egbeda, and Oke-Ogun), Afenifere solicited federal backing for state governments attempting to enforce their anti-open grazing laws.
Cultural Preservation and Celebrations
On regional heritage, the organization announced plans to launch the Yoruba Language Renaissance Trust Fund to promote and enhance verbal and literary communication in the Yoruba language.
The gathering also served to celebrate milestones within the leadership, as the caucus reiterated its congratulations to Pa Fasoranti on marking his 100th birthday earlier this year on May 11, and congratulated Oba Olu Falae on his 88th birthday, which occurred on September 21.
