Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has insisted that the group already endorsed the candidacy of Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
This is even as Adebanjo described the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, with a former leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, as a diversion.
Adebanjo noted that the “real Afenifere” has long endorsed presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, and that has not changed.
Reacting to Tinubu’s meeting with Fasoranti, Adebanjo said it was aimed at creating a wedge between him and the former, a situation the latter is not worried about.
Speaking with Daily Trust on Saturday, Adebanjo said he warned Fasoranti over the phone prior to Tinubu’s visit.
Adebanjo insisted that it was in the interest of fairness and justice for the South East to produce the next President.
He said:
“The Yoruba People know their leader. I’ve spoken, the National Secretary has spoken. This is no the time to engage in polemics. The way forward is my position.
“What happened was a diversion. They want us to be engaged in arguments. Is that the issue now?”
“Can he (Tinubu) deny it that the South-West has not had its turn? Can he deny it South-South has not had its turn? They should answer that. As far as I am concerned, the meeting does not concern us as Afenifere.
“Afenifere is not divided. That was why I said I don’t want to engage in polemics. They want to throw a wedge between me and Pa Reuben Fasoranti and I won’t allow it. The man phoned me yesterday and I warned him, don’t get yourself involved.”
He described those who were present at the meeting as Yoruba APC chieftains.
