Afenifere has already endorsed Obi; Fasoranti, Tinubu meeting diversionary – Adebanjo

Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, says Afenifere has already endorsed the candidacy of Labour Party (LP) presidential standard bearer, Mr. Peter Obi.

Consequently, the elder statesman has described the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the former leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, as diversionary.

Pa Adebanjo said the “real Afenifere” has made its position known about endorsing the candidate of the LP, Obi, and that has not changed.

He said the intent of the meeting between Tinubu and Pa Fasoranti, where the latter reportedly endorsed the APC candidate, was to create a wedge between him and Pa Fasoranti and he was not bothered about it.

READ: Afenifere insists on Obi as president in 2023 to keep Nigeria one

Tinubu had met Pa Fasoranti at the weekend, where he presented his 80-page manifesto to the nonagenarian with other prominent Yoruba leaders in attendance.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Adebanjo said Fasoranti called him over the phone on Saturday and he warned him.

He said: “The Yoruba People know their leader. I’ve spoken, the National Secretary has spoken. This is not the time to engage in polemics. The way forward is my position.

“What happened was a diversion. They want us to be engaged in arguments. Is that the issue now?”

READ: Suspected armed Fulani herdsmen kill daughter of Afenifere leader, Fasoranti

Adebanjo insisted that in the interest of fairness and justice, it is the turn of the South East to produce the next President.

“Can he (Tinubu) deny it that the South-West has not had its turn? Can he deny it South-South has not had its turn? They should answer that. As far as I am concerned, the meeting does not concern us as Afenifere.

“Afenifere is not divided. That was why I said I don’t want to engage in polemics. They want to throw a wedge between me and Pa Reuben Fasoranti and I won’t allow it. The man phoned me yesterday and I warned him, don’t get yourself involved,” he said.

Adebanjo further stated that those in attendance at the meeting were Yoruba APC chieftains.