Presidency 2023: Yoruba group attacks Adebanjo, alleges campaign of calumny against Tinubu

A Yoruba group, the Yoruba Council Worldwide, on Tuesday attacked  elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political, Afenifere, accusing him of campaign of calumny against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the preparations for the 203 presidential election in the country.

President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Oladotun Hassan, speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, complained: “If you have been following Baba Ayo Adebajo’s approach, it is a campaign of calumny against Asiwaju. It is not because of his aspiration now; he has always been on that. At any given instance, Asiwaju will always come to the fore.”

Adebanjo, 94, leader of the Afenifere, had at press conference in Lagos on Monday said explained why the Afenifere has been supporting Peter Obi. He noted that both the southwest, north and south-south have taken turn to produce the President of Nigeria, arguing that it is the turn of the southeast to produce the president of the country in 2023. Adebanjo, therefore, declared that to keep Nigeria one in 2023, every Nigerian should be “Obidient compliant.”

Adebanjo had insisted: “We will not compromise this principle of justice, equity, and inclusiveness because one of our own Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a front-line candidate.”

President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Oladotun Hassan, on Tuesday had a different thought on Tinubu. He was of the view that the Afenifere leaders have hatred for Tinubu, saying that their support for Peter Obi shows their hatred for Tinubu.

According to Hassan, “Asiwaju is their albatross; that has been the campaign they are after. Their support for Peter Obi is at the instance of their hatred against Asiwaju.

“In the last election, Afenifere supported Atiku. What is the driving force of Afenifere?”

Hassan further said that ‘there is no consistency in Afenifere’s belief system, adding that the statements of the group could instigate ethnic violence between the Yoruba and Igbo.

Hassan declared: “As President of Yoruba Council Worldwide, we believe in Asiwaju, we endorse Asiwaju, we are giving Asiwaju continuous support.”

Another leader of Afenifere, Gboyega Adejumo, challenged Hassan, insisting that the decision of the Afenifere led by Adebanjo is guided by equity, fairness, and justice for all stakeholders in the country. He reminded Hassan that Pa Adebanjo contributed to making Tinubu governor of Lagos State in 1999, saying the issue at stake is no longer about ethnic sentiments but justice and equity.

Adejumo had declared: “Afenifere has been the only socio-political organization with a high rate of success in uniting Nigerians.

“It was Pa Adebanjo who made Asiwaju governor. But this is not about a Yoruba man; it is about equity and what is right for Nigerians.”