Following the endorsement of Peter Obi by the Afenifere Leader, Pa Adebanjo, the Presidential campaign council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has dismissed comments credited to Yoruba’s socio-cultural group, Afenifere’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo to the effect that the organisation would support Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections.
The directive was contained in a statement by the Group's Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, issued on Saturday. He said Pa Adebanjo could not impose his personal preference and opinion on Afenifere.
His statement reads, “Papa Ayo Adebanjo does not speak for Afenifere. He is free as an individual to support anyone he likes, in furtherance of his democratic right.
“We know for a fact that Baba has turned Afenifere into his personal estate as Acting Leader. We are also certain that there was nowhere Afenifere, as we know it, met and took a decision to adopt Mr Peter Obi as a candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
“We respect the age of Baba Adebanjo but he cannot turn Afenifere into his personal franchise for any political alliance.
“We are very much aware that Baba Reuben Fasoranti, the real leader of Afenifere had stated clearly that Pa Adebanjo has always been speaking for himself on many national issues using the name of the group.
“It is our well-considered position that Pa Adebanjo cannot appropriate Afenifere. Baba is just an individual who is free to support any politician of his choice. As an individual, he cannot equate himself with the socio-cultural and socio-political organisation.”
According to the the Afenifere Leader, Pa Adebanjo, he said his choice for Peter Obi over Tinubu is based on merit and competency.