Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has confirmed that he did not endorse Anyim Pius Anyim when the former senate president of Nigeria visited him.

The Afenifere leader in a meeting with some young Nigerians in his home on Tuesday said: “Anyim came here and wants me to endorse him. I told him I like him and I want the power to be zoned to South-East but I will not endorse him because of the lack of unity in the South-East.”

The Afenifere maintained that he will always support zoning the 2023 presidency to the South-East but the region must be united to achieve such a feat.

He noted that his support for the South-East presidency was based on “justice” and “equality.”

Pa Adebanjo said: “It is the turn of the South to produce the next president, there is no doubt about that but for justice and equality and If we still want to live under one Nigeria then it must go to the South-East.

“The South-West and South-South have had their share, now it is time for South-East. I have political sons running for President in the South-West, it would have been easier to camp with them but for the sake of the unity of Nigeria, if we still want to live under the umbrella of Nigeria, it must go to the South-East.”

Speaking about those supporting the North, especially North-Central to take power in 2023, Adebanjo said: “When it is time for power to return to the North, the people from the North-Central can step out and lay their claims but it is time for power to return to South.”

The 94-year-old statesman added that those clamouring for a Northern presidency have a hidden agenda.

He said the clamour for a Northern presidency was part of plans hatched by evil people to ensure the Northerners continue to rule.

He alleged that such a ‘devious’ plan is backed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Pa Adebanjo said: “They (the Northerners) want to continue to rule this country, they believe they are the majority but the truth is that we must unite to defeat them. You can see what this administration is doing, the major appointments are all going to the Northerners, when you ask Buhari he will say those are the people he trusts, so the rest of us who voted for him, are we fools? We must unite and show them that Nigeria belongs to all and not just a particular region.”