Bisola David
The head of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, asked Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, on Saturday to quit and support Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party.
The Punch reported that the pan-Yoruba leader pleaded with Tinubu to avoid the humiliation of losing in the polls, claiming that the northerners will not support him.
At the LP’s presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Adebanjo made this statement with Senator Femi Okunronmu, another Afenifere leader.
Adebanjo has said that Tinubu will be let down by the electorate in the north and according to him, the National Democratic Coalition, which the LP was characterized as the new bride for, will protect Nigerians from the APC’s misrule.
“All those who know Tinubu should tell him, I have always told him and I will tell him again, the northerners will not vote for him so he should come back home now and support Obi,” said Adebanjo. “If he comes back now, we will forgive him and take him back.”
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The Labour Party is now NADECO. Those of us who are backing Obi are the ones who want decent administration, a better Nigeria, and freedom from the control of the ruling class.
“We support Obi, and leaders of the progressive movement support Obi. Those con artists posing as Yoruba don’t care for the nation because y oruba’s do not steal from other tribes’ property. A Yoruba has been President before.”
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo had previously received a visit from Obi in his palace.
Obi described Nigeria as a failed state and one of the most insecure nations in the world, “which is no longer in control of your territory,” as he spoke to young people at a town hall meeting hosted on the grounds of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
“For me, I have served the people of Anambra State, and the records are there. I was rated as number one in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. I paid all the pensions that were overdue before I took government, including those related to education and rescuing people from poverty.
“Therefore, let presidential contenders show Nigerians what they have accomplished in the past before seeking to lead the nation.
“We are committed to creating a new Nigeria. We want candidates who are competent for the position and who exude confidence. Elections this year are crucial because we can no longer tolerate incompetence. As this position involves both physical and mental stamina, we want candidates who will demonstrate commitment. So, we need candidates who are prepared for the position. Datti and I want to transform Nigeria.
“Datti and I want to rebuild Nigeria, and we are the only individuals who can achieve that. We claim that you should entrust us with the country because we have the ability to achieve it and will turn it into a wonderful nation. Hold us accountable for handling this situation.
Obi said that Nigeria is a wonderful nation, but we have all allowed it to fall into the hands of a select minority who lack the necessary management skills. “We came here, Your Majesty, to ask for your blessings for that reason. We are aware that no royal parent engages in politics, but if you do nothing as your subjects perish, one day they will come after you for your failure to act”, he said.