A sociocultural group for the Yoruba nation in Nigeria, Afenifere, together with other well-meaning Nigerians in Oyo state, has garnered support for the candidacy of Mr Peter Obi, CON and his running mate Sen. (Dr) Yusuf Baba Datti-Ahmed of the Labour Party (LP), in Nigeria, in the upcoming 2023 presidential election.
The acting leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, while mobilizing Nigerians to support the Obi-Datti ticket, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo state, on Wednesday, reiterated the stance of the group on the candidature of Obi.
Recall that the media space was set ablaze about a month ago, when the elder stateman made it clear that the group has endorsed Obi; this time Pa Adebanjo added more spice by citing credibility, sincerity, justice and character as his reason, as he addressed the mammoth crowd in the Yoruba language.
According to him, “Our words are not words of insult. We are not here to insult anyone; we are here for explanation. Some people say that I hate Tinubu that is why I don’t want them to vote for him. This is not about Igbo or Yoruba, it’s about Nigeria.
“We all agreed on federalism but that is not what they brought. Atiku that agreed with us came back to the country and changed his mind. You want the suffering to stop. You clamour for the return of Late Chief Awolowo’s government. I thank you all for coming here today.”
Meanwhile, the LP governorship candidate in Oyo state, Alh. Tawfiq Sadiq Wale, angrily declared that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu can never be the choice candidate for the country.
Speaking further, he highlighted some of the reasons for his decision, which includes, among other things, deliberate attempt to destroy the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, when he was the Chancellor of the university.
The Oyo state’s chairman of the LP, Alh. Atayase Sadiq, while thanking all, who were there, for the confidence reposed in the party, explained that the nation’s progress is at stake, as he assured the presidential frontrunner of the willingness of everyone in the state to remain “Obidient”; he further advised the people to accept money from ‘money bags’ without selling their votes.
Several other speakers added their voices, like the coordinator of the South-west zone; popular human right activist, Hajiya Aisha Yesufu, also added her voice, noting that when a car is spoilt the wrong driver shouldn’t be allowed to continue, instead, the car should be repaired, adding that Obi has come to repair the country.
In their response, Mr Peter Obi, Sen. Datti Ahmed and Peter Obi’s wife thanked the people for the trust and support despite not being given anything; Peter Obi specially thanked Pa Adebanjo for standing for justice, fairness and equity, which he noted are the necessary tools for building a new Nigeria.
High point of the rally was the presentation of poetic spoken words by a little high school pupil named Sharon Ukoha, who used her well-crafted lines to eventually declare, “Thank you Your Excellency for making yourself available to serve”.