Influential Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has reiterated that it stands firmly with the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections.
Consequently, Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo dismissed the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu with the former leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as immaterial and diversionary.
Adebanjo reacted to the meeting between the two men through a statement on Sunday night, declaring that there would be no going back on the group’s decision to support Obi.
He said the meeting was to create division and needless arguments in the group, stressing that he is not bothered.
Tinubu, at the meeting with Fasoranti and some Yoruba leaders on Sunday, presented his 80-page manifesto for the 2023 elections.
Adebanjo said: “The Yoruba people know their leader. I have 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?
“Can Tinubu deny it that the South-West has not had its turn? Can he deny it that 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 (Saturday) and I warned him: ‘don’t get yourself involved’.”