The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere under the leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo has appointed Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and activist, as its factional National Organising Secretary.

His appointment was decided and approved at Adebanjo's residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, where the faction held its general meeting on Tuesday, January 28.

His appointment was confirmed in a statement jointly signed by deputy leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye.

The statement read in part: “The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of the Afenifere.”

Farotimi was given the appointment barely 24 hours after Aare Afe Babalola, a legal icon, agreed to drop a defamatory suit against the activist.

Babalola's decision followed the appeal on Sunday, January 26, by foremost Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and other prominent Ekiti rulers.

They pleaded with the legal icon to drop the charges during a meeting with him at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) campus.

Other prominent monarchs present at the parley included the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti.