The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has received praise from the Igbo apex socio-cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo for its bravery, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of pan-Nigerianism and the continued existence of the country regardless of whose ox is gored.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Afenifere insisted that South-East Nigerian and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had won the election for president on February 25. The organization also supported Obi’s legal action to overturn the All Progressives Congress candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s declaration of victory.
The statement was released following the organization’s monthly general meeting, which was held at the country residence of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the organization’s acting leader, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.
Reuben Fasoranti, the organization’s leader, however, rejected the stance taken by Adebanjo and the others in a statement on Wednesday.
When Fasoranti resigned from his position in 2021 due to his advanced age, he appointed Mr. Adebanjo as the group’s acting leader.
Adebanjo, however, backed Obi, while Fasoranti supported Tinubu.
The pro-Adebanjo organization Ohanaeze released a statement on Thursday in which it praised Afenifere for taking the side of justice.
The national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, signed the statement, which was titled “Ohanaeze Salutes Afenifere On Its Resolutions.”
We are not unaware of Afenifere’s contribution to the National Democratic Coalition’s platform in bringing democracy back to Nigeria, it stated in part. The National Democratic Coalition, which eventually gave birth to the Committee for Unity and Understanding, among others, was founded by the Afenifere leaders with support from international organizations and alliances across national boundaries.
“We are grateful to the Afenifere for revealing the truth about the February 25 presidential election, which according to records currently available was won by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Furthermore, we applaud the Afenifere for reassuring our people that there is no war between the Yoruba and any other group in Nigeria, particularly the Igbo, and for providing security assurances and support to foreign communities in Yorubaland, particularly Lagos State.
The Afenifere were applauded by Ohanaeze for strongly denouncing the “campaigns of calumny and acts of ethnic violence deployed by some politicians and their hired criminal gangs in several parts of the federation during the gubernatorial election.”
The group said, “We join Afenifere in reaffirming our confidence in the judiciary with the hope that it will conduct itself honorably in the election litigation currently before it without fear or favor.”