Prominent lawyer and public affairs commentator, Dele Farotimi, has sharply criticized a statement purportedly released by the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, in defense of Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversy stems from recent allegations made by Atiku Abubakar Isah, a factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who reportedly linked Seyi Tinubu to issues impacting the student body. In response, a statement credited to Afenifere and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, dismissed Isah’s claims as “salacious, fallacious, and entirely unfounded.”
Afenifere’s rebuttal, which made rounds on Friday, alleged that the student leader’s accusations were politically motivated. The group pointed to images from Isah’s inauguration featuring figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi, suggesting that the event had the trappings of a broader anti-Tinubu agenda.
“This is prima facie evidence that Mr. Isah is acting on behalf of political opponents of the President,” the statement read. Afenifere further warned against what it described as an emerging trend of using student platforms for political proxy wars, noting that such actions could erode public trust and fuel unnecessary divisions.
However, the group did not provide any details about conducting an independent investigation, nor did it confirm if it engaged Seyi Tinubu or Atiku Isah directly before issuing its stance. Critics have noted that the group’s position leans heavily on inference and political affiliations rather than substantiated evidence.
Reacting to the development, Dele Farotimi expressed strong disapproval of the statement, casting doubt on its authenticity and alignment with the core values of the Afenifere he identifies with.
In his words:
“I think you should remember that a man capable of manufacturing bishops should have little problem with creating an Afenifere caricature, which would do his bidding and perform circus tricks for him. The Afenifere to which I belong has nothing to do with this. Infra dig.”
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Farotimi’s statement suggests a deepening concern among Yoruba thought leaders about the alleged politicization of the Afenifere name and platform. His reference to the controversial “manufactured bishops” incident—widely reported during the 2023 presidential campaign—further reinforces his stance that such acts may be orchestrated to influence public perception.
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As the dust settles on this latest episode, questions remain about the internal coherence of Afenifere as a socio-political movement and the integrity of public discourse in Nigeria’s charged political landscape.
