By Emegwoako C. Paschal
According to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential campaign council, the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, has clearly stated it has not endorsed Peter Obi, Labour Party, LP, Presidential candidate, for the 2023 elections, pointing that, Ayo Adebanjo’s support for Obi is a personal decision.
Recall in a statement he made in July, the Afenifere leader stated that only the LP candidate would govern independently “without the influence of these criminals in the government.”
Bayo Onanuga, APC Campaign Director of Media and Publicity, responded in a statement on Saturday, September 24th, saying;
“Papa Ayo Adebanjo does not speak for Afenifere, As an individual, he is free to support whomever he wishes in furtherance of his democratic right,” he stated.
“As Acting Leader, Baba has turned Afenifere into his personal estate.” We are also certain that Afenifere, as we know it, did not meet and decide to support Mr. Peter Obi as a presidential candidate in 2023. We respect Baba Adebanjo’s age, but he cannot use Afenifere to form a political alliance.”
“We are well aware that Baba Reuben Fasoranti, the true leader of Afenifere, has stated unequivocally that Pa Adebanjo has always spoken for himself on many national issues using the group’s name.
“It is our firm belief that Pa Adebanjo cannot appropriate Afenifere. Baba is simply an individual who is free to support whichever politician he wishes. He cannot equate himself as an individual, with the sociocultural and sociopolitical organization.”
