Afenifere Faction Denounces ‘Fake’ Splinter Groups as Deceptive
Afenifere Faction Denounces ‘Fake’ Splinter Groups as Deceptive
A faction of the prominent Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has issued a strong warning against what it describes as “fake Afenifere splinter groups,” accusing these groups of deliberately distorting its message and misleading the Nigerian public.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by its leader, Olaitan Oladipo, alongside Publicity Secretary Justice Faloye, the faction claimed that certain interests are covertly supporting these pseudo-groups to undermine and weaken Afenifere’s legacy, which it regards as a long-standing symbol of truth, justice, and public welfare.
The statement specifically named groups such as the “Afenifere Innovative Group” and the “Afenifere Youth Group” as among the fake splinter organizations.
“The continuous emergence of fraudulent groups claiming to be part of Afenifere is a deliberate strategy to silence and deceive the people. This is an attempt to tarnish our reputation and distort our core message, especially after our leadership contest during Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s burial,” the faction noted.
While acknowledging that splinter groups have appeared in the past, the faction emphasized that Afenifere has always endured such challenges by remaining committed to its foundational principles of truth, justice, equity, and welfare.
It warned that these counterfeit groups are short-lived phenomena, typically fading after a few election cycles. “No matter how many fake Afenifere groups are created, our organization will remain relevant and impactful as long as Nigerians uphold our core values of truth, justice, equity, and welfare,” the statement read.
The group also asserted that the authentic Afenifere is widely recognized as a voice for the people, not a tool for government sympathizers. “Our authenticity lies in our activism for abundance and fairness for all, not in participating in the misappropriation of our resources through selfish prebendal appointments and contracts,” it declared.
Reaffirming its ideological stance, the faction emphasized that Afenifere is rooted in social democracy and welfarism. It firmly stated that it would never support neoliberal economic policies or authoritarian regimes, which it believes have pushed millions into poverty and undermined democratic values.
