The Secretary General of apex Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni, has put rest to the controversy surrounding the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on “The Morning Show” on Arise TV, Chief Ebiseni said categorically that what happened between Tinubu and Pa Reuben Fasorati two weeks ago was mere mutual and personal interchange and not endorsement.
Ebiseni also reiterated that the leadership of Afenifere lies squarely on the shoulders of Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
According to him, Pa Fasoranti handed over to Pa Ayo Adebanjo whom he described as an avatar for the Awolowo school of thought.
While handing over to Adebanjo, Fasoranti reportedly said that he has found one man who is always on ground for Yoruba interests and always in the political trenches fighting the battle for his fellow tribes men.
Adebanjo afterward took over the leadership from his predecessor in 2015 and has manned the affairs of the pan Yoruba group ever since.
He recalled that Tinubu’s camp harassed Pa Fasoranti so much that the poor old man almost stepped aside in 2015.
“Now, they came to remove their caps & bow to him for endorsement,” he regretted.
Respecting the endorsement of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi, by Afenifere, Ebiseni said it is sacrosanct.
He said that the endorsement of Peter Obi represents three hopes; hope for the southern region of Nigeria, hope for South East region and hope for the Middle Belt, as well as other minority ethnic groups in the country.
He also said: “Peter Obi’s presidency will be about equity, justice and fairness. It will be a revolution for inclusiveness.
“It will be a metaphor for a South South, South East, North Central & Middlebelt presidency. Nigeria is a federation!”
In his words, “we have not endorsed any other candidate than Peter Obi”.
One of the interviewers, Mr. Rufai Oseni pinpointedly asked him: “Did Pa Fasoranti really endorse Tinubu?”
He answered in the negative as captured in the video below. WatchL
With this nail in the coffin, finally, Afenifere has officially endorsed Peter Obi for President come 2023 for justice equity and fairness.
Watch the full video below:
Reacting to the official statement, Mr. NwaChinemere, while addressing Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership respecting the stand of Afenifere leadership, urged Ndigbo to reciprocate the gesture when the time comes.
NwaChinemere said: “Are we paying attention to the historic sacrifices Afenifere is making for Ndigbo at this defining moment?
“Please let this history never be forgotten and let this history be documented.
“I also pray that when the time is ripe, Ndigbo through Ohaneze will reciprocate this without ambiguity even though it has been our pattern.
“But we should in no ambiguous terms reciprocate this unshaken position. I duff my hat for the Afenifere leadership.
“And may God bless the Afenifere and Yoruba Nation. God bless Ohaneze and Igbo Nation. God bless Nigeria. God bless the Handshake Across the Niger. Read more.
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