Some found Afenifere’s endorsement as a worrisome development, arguing that Tinubu would protect Yoruba interests as President.
In various conversations majority were concerned about the election while a section cautioned against ‘’hasty endorsement’’ of southern candidates.
Leader of the Yoruba group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, had endorsed Obi, claiming the decision was informed by the need for equity in Nigeria’s socio-political mix.
He had explained that Afenifere was backing Obi for equity and inclusiveness.
Adebanjo said other geopolitical zones had produced leaders of the country, saying it was only fair that the next President emerges from the South-East.
“We cannot continue to demand that the Igbo people remain in Nigeria, while we, at the same time, continue to brutally marginalize and exclude them from the power dynamics.”
Igbo interests
Concerned by the decision, Tinubu faulted the nonagenarian, last weekend, accusing him of using the Yoruba body to further Igbo interests.
Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said Adebanjo has been hobnobbing with the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, describing him as Ohanifere, a mixture of Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He said: “Papa Ayo Adebanjo does not speak for Afenifere. He is free as an individual to support anyone he likes, in furtherance of his democratic right.
“We know for a fact that Baba has turned Afenifere into his estate as acting leader. We are also certain that there was nowhere Afenifere, as we know it, met and took a decision to adopt Peter Obi as a candidate for 2023 presidential election.
Reuben Fasoranti
“We respect the age of Baba Adebanjo, but he cannot turn Afenifere into his franchise for any political alliance.
“We are very much aware that Baba Reuben Fasoranti, the real leader of Afenifere, had stated clearly that Pa Adebanjo has always been speaking for himself on many national issues using the name of the group.
“It is our well-considered position that Pa Adebanjo cannot appropriate Afenifere. Baba is just an individual who is free to support any politician of his choice. As an individual, he cannot equate himself with the socio-cultural and socio-political organisation.”
Fasoranti was the leader of Afenifere before the mantle of leadership fell on Adbanjo.
The Tinubu camp may have dismissed the Adebanjo backing as not representing the position of the Yoruba group, but unfolding events suggest that it embodies profound symbolism.
Meanwhile, Adebanjo followed up, reiterating his stand on Obi.
He explained that it would amount to injustice for a Yoruba to rule after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
“In a statement titled: ‘Why Afenifere Supports South-East Presidential Candidate for 2023 Presidency,’ Adebanjo said: “Before the political parties conducted their primaries, a journalist asked, what is my view about the 2023 general elections? I answered and said the country should be restructured before the general elections, and he followed up by asking if there should be an election, which zone should the presidency come from? And I unhesitatingly said, of course, the South-East.
