Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has said that it believes the candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, was the winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

This was contained in a communique issued by the group at the end of its general meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State on Tuesday.

Afenifere further insisted that the presidential slot should go the South-East of the southern part of the federation in line with equity and fairness.

The communique reads: “That Afenifere reiterates that for equity, fairness, national cohesion and peaceful corporate existence, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be person of its Southern part and specifically the South East.”

Throwing its support behind LP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Afenifere authenticated the tribe of the candidate as a Yoruba and called on Lagosians to vote enmasse for him in the election coming up on Saturday.

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“That Afenifere calls on Nigerians to troop out enmasse and participate fully in the Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly elections slated for the 11th March 2023.

“That with particular reference to Lagos State, Afenifere confirmed that the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is a person of Yoruba origin, whose grandparents are not only Yoruba but definitely one of the notable founding families of Lagos. We unequivocally endorse and urge the people of Lagos to vote for him.”

The foremost Yoruba nation socio-political group, therefore, charged INEC to conduct free, fair and credible Guber/House of Assembly elections.

It also called for security beef-up across the nation during the election.

“That Afenifere calls on INEC to ensure free and credible Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in accordance with the constitution, the extant Electoral Act and its mandatory Guidelines earlier mentioned.

“That in accordance with the hallowed Yoruba culture of civilised conduct Afenifere assures all persons resident in Yorubaland, indigenes and non-indegenes, of protection in the conduct of their lawful duties and particularly the free exercise of the rights to vote for candidates of their choice in all elections and thus warn all threats mongers and merchants of violence to desist therefrom.

“That Afenifere calls on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and all security agents to guaranty the safety of the people, free, fair and peaceful elections throughout Nigeria.

“That the international community should show special concerns in the on-going electioneering process in Nigeria in the interest of peace in the global community