… Says debate over next leader contrary to Yoruba culture

… Affirms commitment to values as family appeals for unity

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has constituted a burial planning committee for its late leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who died a few days ago at 100.

The decision was reached on Tuesday at a meeting of the foremost Yoruba group held at the Akure residence of the deceased in Ondo State, where a condolence message was delivered to the family of the deceased, with a commitment reaffirmed to uphold the values that defined Fasoranti’s life.

The family of the late Afenifere leader and elder statesman had earlier announced December 17, 2026, for his funeral service and interment.

The National Executive Committee of Afenifere, under the chairmanship of Oba Olu Falae, disclosed that the committee, which will work in collaboration with the family’s committee and the government committee, is tasked with organising a befitting burial for the late Afenifere figure.

According to Falae, the committee will be composed of members from Afenifere and other groups that previously met at Ogbo, Ogun State.

Members of the committee include Oba Samuel Falae, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Chief Supo Shonibare, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Tola Mobulurin, Otunba Dr Samuel Ibikunle, Chief Korede Duyile, Chief Femi Aluko, Dr Segun Mimiko, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Others are Dr Gbola Adetunji, Hon. Wale Oshun, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, Chief Pekun Awobona, and Engr. Bayo Adenekan, Chief Lekan Alabi, Abagun Kole Omololu, Dr Akin Onigbinde SAN, Prof Akin Onigbinde, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Dr David Atte, Chief Ayo Abereoran, Hon. Lanre Omisore, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Otunba Deji Wellington, Mrs Nike Olujembola, Mrs Oluwatoyin Falade, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Arc. Goke Omigbodun, and Chief Ademola Folarin.

With emphasis placed on the need for unity among the various groups involved in the burial arrangements and assurance that the committee members will be further expanded, the organisation stressed that any discussion on leadership succession is premature and contrary to Yoruba culture.

According to Falae, such discussions are inappropriate before the burial, with the meeting noting that it is contrary to Yoruba culture to begin talking about who will succeed a leader before he is buried.

The priority, according to the committee, is to give Papa a befitting burial, after which a credible leader will emerge to lead Afenifere.

The family, speaking through Olori Rachael Falae, described Fasoranti as a quiet, disciplined, and trustworthy leader of high integrity.

She noted that Fasoranti, during his lifetime, balanced his roles as local government chairman and school principal with remarkable dedication, and that his tenure saw the construction of key roads in Akure, including the road from the A Division Police Station to the State Hospital and the road from the NEPA roundabout to the St Thomas’s area.

“Papa was a very quiet person and highly disciplined, and this discipline he carried even into his political life. He was a leader who could be trusted. He would come in from Oyo, preside over council meetings, spend the weekend with his family, and then go back to Oyo,” Olori Falae stated.

She further stated that Fasoranti was undeterred by challenges and stood by his convictions, stressing that “Once he was convinced about anything, he would go to any length to make sure that he stood by his conviction. So we all loved him.

“The Akure community loved him. When his passing was announced, the Deji of Akure asked, ‘How are we going to find another leader like Baba Fasoranti?’ because difficult matters in Akure were always brought to his house.”

Olori Falae appealed to the Afenifere group to uphold Fasoranti’s legacy, stating that “I am appealing to the Afenifere group that they should please let this attitude remain, that they should work together and ensure that Afenifere stands for something good, something unique, something that can bring our people together.

“We must think of the future because the next generation is looking up to us. If there is any difference, they should try to settle it so that papa’s spirit, wherever it is, will be happy.”

Speaking on the funeral arrangements, she explained that “I myself will be there, my niece will be there, and my grand-nieces and nephews will also be there. We want members of the Afenifere group to be represented, some people from this community, and of course the church, because Papa believed very much in religious life.

“The Anglican Church and state governors will be involved; the governors will decide what they want to do. From about Monday before the funeral, there will be tributes, and we will allocate some days for groups.”