The Afenifere Diaspora USA has disowned a group claiming to be the Afenifere USA Chapter, describing them as detractors who have been dismissed from the organisation.

The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Prof. Sikiru Fadairo and Secretary, Comrade David Adenekan, congratulated Oba Oladipo Olaitan on his emergence as the substantive national leader of Afenifere.

According to the statement, the so-called Afenifere USA Chapter was created by the leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo but was dissolved due to the group's rebellious behavior.

The Afenifere Diaspora USA asserted that the group is unknown to the leadership structure of Afenifere under Oba Olaitan's leadership and is being used by political jobbers to undermine the organization's efforts.

"To set the record straight, it was true that a group known as Afenifere USA Chapter under the leadership of Dr. Durojaye Akindutire was created by the leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo of blessed memory; and with the direct supervision of Engr. Adebayo Adenekan, Afenifere Diaspora Secretary.

“The group was dissolved by the purposeful leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo who has joined our ancestors because of the rebellious behaviors of the leadership of the group in question that was anti – Afenifere,” the group stated.

The group questioned the motives of the breakaway group, suggesting that they are driven by a divisive political agenda to support President Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.

"Afenifere will not approbate and reprobate, the so-called leaders of Afenifere USA Chapter are detractors that have been dismissed from the organisation. They are only being used by political jobbers to truncate the noble efforts of the leadership of Oba Oladipo Olaitan to ensure that the primary goals and objectives of establishing Afenifere (welfarism for all) are not defeated,” the group affirmed.

It criticized the president's performance, citing the country's economic challenges, insecurity, and infrastructure deficiencies.

"What is the manifest goal of the so called Afenifere USA Chapter, apart from a divisive political agenda to support Tinubu re-election bid for 2027 and get compensated with plum jobs or pay checks? Are they not political patronage? If not, how do you start running a campaign for a man that told Nigeria during the electioneering campaign, ahead of 2023 general election that, "If I am elected as president, hold me accountable to my promise, if I do not provide a stable and constant electricity to every Nigerian in six months, do not re-elect me as your president."

“Did the national grid not collapse to the extent that the federal government has abandoned the whole country to gross darkness to opt for alternative energy, install solar panels that will cost tax-payers billions of naira to only provide constant electricity to Aso Rock, the seat of power. In this scenario, are they not desperately reinforcing failure to ask the electorates to vote PBAT for second term?" the group queried.

The group also added, "The unguarded and unthinkable euphoria of having a so-called Yoruba man as president when in the true sense of it, Yoruba as a people have not gained anything tangible from the Presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his more than two years in office, apart from his very few cronies from Lagos state who he has been recycling for more than 26 years, is unpalatable. Is this not wickedness at the detriment of all Nigerians, regardless of your ethnic stock? Is severe hunger not visible across the country, including the south west geo political zone?

“Has the World Bank and the International Monetary Funds, IMF not projected that Nigeria will be a more poorer country by 2027? Is the local currency not still in the mode of a free-fall? Does the inflation rate in the country not defy all logic? Is the rising surge of insecurity across the country not unspeakable as the death toll is increasing at an alarming rate?

“Is it not laughable to align a great phenomenon, Afenifere that has outlived her founding fathers, including Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, Pa. Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Bola Ige, Pa. Abraham Adesanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and host of others with the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, power is transient? Tinubu will not be an exception of many that Afenifere would outlive. Ase Edumare (Amen from the throne of grace). What will happen to the so-called detractors if Tinubu is out of power tomorrow?" the group asked.

The Afenifere Diaspora USA urged the public to disregard the activities of the breakaway group, describing them as a scam and an identity theft.

It reaffirmed their loyalty to Oba Olaitan's leadership and urged everyone to support the organisation's efforts to promote the welfare of its members and the larger community.

"The group implore all sons and daughters of Yoruba land, including the citizens of other five geo-political zones in Nigeria, namely South-south, South-east, North central, North east and North west; and the world at large to please discountenance and stay away from the so-called individuals and groups like the disbanded Afenifere USA Chapter that are misrepresenting Afenifere,” the group said.