2027: Obi, Rhode-Vivour consult Afenifere faction in Lagos
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday visited a faction of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, at its Lagos office.
He was accompanied by the party’s 2023 governorship candidate for Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa.
Obi and his entourage were received by leaders of the factional group, including Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chief Supo Shonibare, a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, and the General Secretary, Chief Sola Ebiseni.
Others present were Prince Justice Faloye, National Publicity Secretary; Mr Dele Farotimi, Organising Secretary; Bashorun Segun Sanni; Alade Rotimi-John, Deputy Secretary-General, among others.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the faction’s leader, Oba Olaitan, and the group’s Publicity Secretary, Prince Faloye, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.
During the visit, Obi expressed gratitude to Afenifere for supporting his 2023 presidential campaign and for remaining a consistent voice for good governance.
The former Anambra State governor also briefed the leaders on current political developments, particularly his plans ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The statement read, “There were wide discussions ranging from Peter Obi’s candidacy in the 2027 presidential elections to the state of the nation, which included the harassment of political opposition, threats to true democracy, the dire economic situation, and spiralling cost of governance.
“He restated his commitment to restructuring and to Afenifere’s cardinal points regarding education, health, rural integration, and full employment.
“Afenifere, in response, stated that it remained unshakeable on its egalitarian values of abundance for all and expressed gratitude that Peter Obi stood on those values.
“The leader voiced concern over the continuous restriction of democratic space and urged all to keep alive the torch of the democratic spirit lit by Nigerian forefathers. The meeting ended about 4 p.m. with promises of more consultations and collaborations.”
Afenifere, founded in the 1950s under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has historically played a significant role in Yoruba and national politics. The group is known for its progressive stance on federalism, restructuring, and social welfare, and has been influential in shaping debates on governance and constitutional reform.
However, internal divisions emerged in the build-up to the 2023 general elections. While one faction led by late Chief Ayo Adebanjo openly endorsed Obi’s presidential bid, another faction under Pa Reuben Fasoranti tilted towards the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu.
In October 2022, Fasoranti insisted that Afenifere never endorsed Obi, challenging Adebanjo’s claim to speak for the group.
The rift widened after Adebanjo maintained that Obi won the February 2023 election, a claim Fasoranti dismissed as “illegal,” stressing that only INEC could declare results.
By February 2025, Adebanjo’s faction had formally ruled out reconciliation with Fasoranti’s camp, making clear that the split had hardened into two distinct factions within the Yoruba socio-political body.
Obi’s renewed consultation with the Lagos faction therefore comes against the backdrop of these long-running divisions.
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