Chief Ademola Folarin, lawyer and General Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio- political organisation Afenifere, says the group has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election and has no reason to change its position. Speaking in an interview, Folarin said there is no viable alternative to Tinubu and that the endorsement was made about a month ago.
He argued that Nigeria's presidential system is expensive and unrepresentative compared with the Westminster parliamentary model, saying a prime minister can be elected from a single local government area while a president must win votes across at least two-thirds of the states. "It's a no-brainer," he said. "We can't just import a system and think it will work without any modification."
On security and macroeconomic performance, Folarin gave Tinubu high marks on the economy — scoring him 80 per cent on macroeconomics and 40 per cent on micro — while acknowledging that many fronts remain unresolved. He contrasted this with the economic record of Peter Obi, whom he described as lacking a concrete policy framework, noting that Obi's approach was simply to oppose Tinubu rather than offer an alternative.
Folarin also addressed the leadership crisis within Afenifere following the death of Pa Reuben Fasoranti. He rejected Oba Oladipo Olaitan's announcement that he had become the consecrated leader of the group, calling it premature and a disservice to the memory of the late leader whose remains had not yet been buried. "We don't engage in such talk," Folarin said. He noted that reconciliation efforts were ongoing and that unity remains the group's guiding principle: "Divided we fall, united we stand."
When asked about plans to install a former governor as the new leader, Folarin said there are no such plans but that the conclave of elders and leaders would decide once the burial is complete. He also defended Fasoranti against criticism, contrasting him with former leader Pa Adebanjo, who endorsed Obi in 2023 without consulting the elders or leaders. "Baba Fasoranti was a builder, a unifier, and a team player," Folarin said. "Baba Adebanjo endorsed Obi without telling anybody." He added that Fasoranti attended meetings, listened, and would speak only when necessary, unlike Adebanjo, who dominated conversations.
On reports of older members planning to form what they call Afenifere Independent, Folarin said the group remains focused on its mission and that unity is non-negotiable. He noted that similar splinter groups exist among other Yoruba organisations such as Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Arewa Consultative Forum, but insisted there is only one Afenifere.
The interview was published by Vanguard News.