The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has endorsed the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, for the 2023 presidency, saying the former governor of Lagos State is the “best opportunity” for the country.
Afenifere said Tinubu will promote true federalism that will give states more control over their affairs if elected as Nigeria’s President.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group made this known via a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Omololu, following Tinubu’s visit to the Afenifere leaders in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Sunday.
The collective decision of the Afenifere leaders has made nonsense of the purported endorsement by one of the leaders of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who had threw his weight behind Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate.
The APC presidential standard-bearer had visited the Afenifere leaders to present his campaign manifesto to them ahead of the 2023 general election.
The Yoruba group stated that after Tinubu presented his manifesto to its leaders, it “affirm that Nigeria as a country must be established on the basis of democracy, true federalism, and social justice.
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“We affirm that Democracy is the most civilised method of governance because it is based on the fundamental human rights of every citizen to determine how he or she wants to be governed.
“We support the decision of all qualified citizens to exercise their fundamental rights of seeking offices provided by the federal Constitution.
“Having taken cognisance of his commendable antecedents as Lagos State Governor and his demonstrated ability in building physical and human capital, the Yoruba Leaders at today’s meeting are in no doubt that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria offers the best opportunity to produce a government of that will usher in a new Era of hope, peace, security, harmony, gainful employment for the multitude, economic development, social and political stability.
“We were also assured of his commitment to the promotion of true federalism that will give states more control over their affairs.
“Afenifere wishes him success in the pursuit of his vision,” the group said.
Afenifere further urged other presidential candidates to “utilise similar opportunities to articulate their vision”.
The meeting was attended by Yoruba leaders from Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara states.
