Afenifere Appoints Dele Farotimi as National Organising Secretary

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, has appointed lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, as its National Organising Secretary.

The appointment was approved during Afenifere’s general meeting held on Tuesday at the residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

Dele Farotimi, a vocal advocate for justice and equity, recently made headlines following a legal dispute with elder statesman Aare Afe Babalola.

The lawsuit, which stemmed from alleged defamatory statements in Farotimi’s book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, saw him arraigned before an Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti. The court granted him bail set at N30 million.

Barely 24 hours after Afe Babalola consented to withdraw the lawsuit, Farotimi’s appointment was announced.

The decision was included in a communique issued after the meeting and jointly signed by Afenifere’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye.

“The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere,” the statement read.

The meeting, presided over by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, was attended by delegates from the six South-West states, as well as Kogi and Kwara States.

Prominent attendees included former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Akerele; Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni; Chief Akin Osuntokun; Professor Akin Onigbinde; Elder Tola Mobolurin; Dr. Gbola Adetuji; and Olorogun Pop Ayo-Banjo.

Afenifere, known for its advocacy for Yoruba interests and its commitment to justice and good governance, stated that Farotimi’s appointment aligns with the organization’s vision to strengthen its leadership and organizational structure.

His role as National Organising Secretary is expected to enhance the group’s coordination and influence across the South-West and beyond.