The mainstream of Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has on Wednesday, in Ibadan, endorsed the candidature of former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in this Saturday’s presidential election.
The endorsement of Atiku Abubakar took place at a program christened “Afenifere Town Hall Meeting on moving Nigeria forward” held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The program was organised by the mainstream Afenifere which is being led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
This is the group fully populated by the disciples of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and following the late sage’s principle. They have been led by Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya.
Although, another one being led by Chief Ayo Fasanmi had on Tuesday, January 29, also in Ibadan, endorsed the candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that Buhari had performed well and deserved another term.
But, the mainstream Afenifere being led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said that they had decided to endorse Atiku Abubakar because of his resolve to restructure Nigeria.
Eminent Yoruba leaders and elders present at the event held on Wednesday apart from Chief Fasoranti are: Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a former Secretary to the Government of the federation, Chief Olu Falae; Senator Femi Okunrounmu and the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde who represented Abubakar at the event.
Chief Fasoranti, while declaring the support of the group for Atiku Abubakar said that the essence of the program was to tell the people of the South West region to vote for Atiku Abubakar because he had promised to implement restructuring proposal to the letter.
He said, “We are here to support the candidate that will implement to the letter, the restructuring of Nigeria as moved in the Ibadan declaration in 2017.
We want someone that will restructure Nigeria. We want Nigeria that is restructured. The structure that we want is the one that will not be manipulated. That is the kind of restructuring that we want. That is what Yoruba stands for. We are endorsing Atiku Abubakar of PDP.
Okunrounmu in his remarks said that the group had investigated the candidates contesting the presidential election and discovered that Atiku Abubakar is the best man to do the job.
He said, “This gathering is to let the Yorubas speak in one voice. This is to tell us that this is where Yoruba is going. We are going to support Atiku Abubakar. We have seen that there are two major contenders out of the over 70 candidates, but Atiku Abubakar is the one we will vote for. It is Atiku that can tackle the herdsmen and Boko Haram. Buhari cannot fight them.
Chief Adebanjo, while speaking said that the group which has members cutting across major political parties in the state is not a PDP group but it decided to support the PDP candidate in the interest of the Yoruba race.
He said, “They cannot take us to the promised land. It is the PDP that can do that. We are not PDP. Our members are from different political parties, but we are endorsing the PDP candidate because of the resolve to implement restructuring agenda.
See more photos of the event below:
Awo will quake in his grave that we are voting for a thief who has promised to enrich his friends and declare amnesty for thieves.