Human rights lawyer and political activist, Dele Farotimi, has announced his formal departure from Afenifere, ending an association with the Yoruba socio-political organisation that dates back to 1998.

Farotimi announced his decision in a statement titled “My Exit from Afenifere,” in which he declared that he had formally severed all ties with the organisation and its leadership.

In the statement addressed to Nigerians on Tuesday, Farotimi said his association with Afenifere had been an important part of his public engagement and contributions to the country’s political and social aspirations.

He recalled that his involvement with the organisation began in 1998, when he served as the pioneer Chairman of Binukonu.

Reflecting on his longstanding relationship with the group, Farotimi expressed gratitude for the experiences, opportunities and platform it had provided him to contribute to collective aspirations.

However, he said he had decided to bring the relationship to an end, stressing that the leadership of Afenifere would no longer represent his views.

“Today, I bring my association with Afenifere to a close. I hereby formally sever all ties with the organisation and its leadership,” he stated.

“Henceforth, the leadership of Afenifere does not represent my views, and I no longer speak for or identify with its positions or actions.”

Farotimi described the decision as painful but necessary, while declining to disclose the circumstances that informed his departure.

“There is a time and place for everything under the sun, and this is not the time to offer the reasons for this painful but necessary decision,” he said.

He added that he had chosen not to provide further explanations and appealed to Nigerians to respect his decision.

“I have chosen not to offer any further explanation, and I ask that you respect and accept my decision,” he stated.

Despite his departure from Afenifere and its leadership, Farotimi insisted that his commitment to the ideological principles associated with the organisation remained intact.

He said his pursuit of a nation founded on the social democratic principles of the Action Group and Afenifere would continue, indicating that his exit from the organisation would not amount to abandoning the ideals he had long championed.

“My commitment to the birth of a nation founded on the social democratic principles of the Action Group (Afenifere) remains unchanged, and I shall remain undaunted in my pursuit of these principles and ideals,” he said.

Farotimi, however, thanked Nigerians for their support, engagement and the opportunity to share his political convictions and vision for the country over the years.

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