Afenifere endorses Buhari for 2019 presidential election

MEMBERS of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, rose from their summit in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday with an endorsement of the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the group’s choice for the February 16 election.

The group, led by Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi, had after its meeting at the House of Chiefs, Agodi State Secretariat in Ibadan on December 20, last year, said it would announce on January 29  its preferred candidate for the presidency.

It endorsed Buhari for the February 16 election.

At the endorsement, which took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the group argued that it endorsed Buhari because of his outstanding performance.

At the event were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Fasanmi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s representative and former Minister of State for Defence Demola Seriki, Lagos Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule and her Ogun State counterpart Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga.

The royal fathers were represented by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adedejuyigbe; Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abioye Oyebode, Oniye of Iye-Ekiti, Oba Adeleye Oni among others.

House of Representatives member (Atiba/AFIJIO/Oyo East/Oyo West) Akeem Adeyemi; Asimiyu Alarape; Chief Akin Fasae and gubernatorial candidate of the ruling APC in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also attended the event.

Prof Osinbajo, who was the special guest of honour, arrived at the venue at 3.50pm. He was handed a copy of the lecture, titled: “Restructuring for harmonious and optimal socio-economic development: Prospects and challenges”.

The lecture was delivered by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.

In their goodwill messages, the governors of the six Southwest states  – Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) – urged the people of the zone to ensure the re-election President Buhari and Osinbajo next month. They were all represented.

Mrs. Onanuga, who spoke for Amosun, said: “ Ogun State  is very important in the history of  the Southwest because it has produced personalities like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Abraham Adesanya and Prof Osinbajo and as a result, the state has contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.”

She called on all to vote for President Buhari and Osinbajo.

Mrs Onanuga urged the people to collect their PVCs to enable them exercise their franchise.

Prof. Bayo Ademodi, who stood in for Akeredolu, congratulated Afenifere for the summit and hailed the group’s leader for his steadfastness.

He said: “Afenifere truly stands for progressivism. It is imperative we focused on restructuring. And the only party that stands for progressivism is APC. And come February 16, that is the direction we are going.”

Oyo State Deputy Governor Otunba Alake Adeyemo, who spoke for Ajimobi, expressed delight on the lecture’s title, adding that the Federal Government cannot close its ears to restructuring as a mere noise in the market place.

He said: “There is no denying the fact that Nigeria has gone through series of restructuring since independence.”

Oyetola’s representative Dr. Charles Akinola, paid tributes to the Afenifere leadership for its regular intervention in the affairs of the nation and described the topic as “timely”.

The motion for President Buhari and Prof Osinbajo’s endorsement was moved by an octogenarian, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye. It was supported by other five leaders of the group – Prince Tajudeen Olusi (Lagos), Prof Bayonile Ademodi (Ondo), Elder Yemi Alade (Ekiti), Chief S. M. Akindele (Oyo) and Sooko Adewoyin (Osun).

Fasanmi said Buhari deserved another term because he has performed credibly.

He said: “I want all of you to work and vote for Buhari who has performed very credibly and I think he deserved second term in the office.

“He is the only candidate that is campaigning about a corruption free society. I am pleased that all the Southwest under the APC fold is going this direction.”