A Yoruba group under the auspices of Yoruba Welfare Group (YWG) on Wednesday berated Afenifere over its recent call to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to drop their presidential ambitions to allow power shift to Southeast, saying such call is not only condemnable, unfortunate but odious.
The Socio-political group in a statement through its National President, Comrade Abdul Hakeem Adegoke Alawuje said, while the Yoruba Welfare Group is not surprised by this usual behavior of the Afenifere, “we consider the recent press release of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere as mischievous and insincere”.
According to the group, all the self-appointed Yoruba leaders in Afenifere have not in anyway betrayed their expectation, because they did similar things in the past; where they pitched their tent with former president Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, collecting and enjoying the evil money, even when the vast majority of the Yorubas rejected them.
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They argued no true Yoruba son or a worthy Omoluabi will fail to subscribe to a Yoruba maxim, which says: Omo eni koni sedi bebere, kafi’leke sidi omo elomiran, saying they are not surprised in the least as their problem is Tinubu, no more, no less.
The group therefore called on on all Yoruba sons and daugthers to be wary of the self-appointed Yoruba leaders who populate Afenifere and regard them as enemies whose interest is but selfish.
They said, “Tinubu is their fear, having realised that a pliable Osinbajo candidacy will not fly, their choice of an Igbo candidate becomes a necessity, even if such candidate is less qualified than their own son.
“We are therefore calling on all Yoruba sons and daugthers to be wary of the self-appointed Yoruba leaders who populate Afenifere and regard them as enemies whose interest is but selfish.
“Afenifere has never been part of the Nigerian project. Ain’t they the same set of people who are the promoters of independent Yoruba Nation. Why are they now concerned about the other tribes, who themselves are yet to take decision on the Nigeria project?
“Did Afenifere realise that Tinubu and Osinbajo are not out to run for the President of the Oodua Republic? Did they realise that what’s at stake is Nigeria’s presidency. Are they aware that the issue at hand is far beyond the purview of a tribe or religion?
Continuing, “As Nigerians, we cannot afford to seek compromise on who governs us as the president. Only the best must be considered.
“Afenifere must learn to live beyond parochial interest. It’s pertinent to note that the Yoruba Welfare Group adopted Asiwaju Tinubu not just because he’s Yoruba, but because he’s considered as the most qualified aspirant with massive political structure. Tinubu remains a detribalised Nigeria who has built bridges across the divide, with a retinue of friends and associates across the country.
“Yorubas as a highly cerebral race can therefore not, because of hatred, present a weak or fake product for 2023 presidency. We would have ourselves to blame, rather, than shift blame to other region, if we refuse to do the right thing.
“Is it not time Afenifere turned itself into a political party or register as one, rather than keep masquerading as a socio-cultural group. How can an organisation which should prioritise the interest of its sons and daughters turn out to do the exact opposite.
“While we respect Afenifere as a sister organisation, its leadership must realise it has long abandoned the vision of its founding fathers just as it has, by its latest release, abdicated its responsibilities, losing the respect of those it claims to represents. We in the YWG are the real ‘Afenifere’ – the “Wellwishers’.
“We are therefore warning Afenifere not to attempt to polarise Yorubas along religious lines just as they should be wary of causing inter-tribal crisis by its queerish stance.
“Consequently, Nigerians should not allow frustrated souls who have wasted their youthful age in seeking political patronage to hide under the guise of Afenifere, proclaiming themselves as Yoruba leaders to destroy us and the generation to come,
“While YWG respects the age of the likes Pa Adebanjo, it has become neccesry to let the public to know that Afenifere is a venture that is controlled by business interest.
“If Afenifere is truly for Yoruba interest why did they work against Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1983, why did they sabotage Chief MKO Abiola in 1993 and why are they seeking to repeat the history on Tinubu in 2023. It’s their way, they shall not succeed this time.
“It’s obvious that Afenifere does not speak for us nor does it speak on behave of the Yorubas. Rather it speaks for itself and on behalf of a particular group of people whose interest is not unknown to us.
“Though, Afenifere could afford to trade the interest of Yorubas with the people from other regions who agreed with their terms and conditions, as they did with General Sani Abacha, Goodluck Jonathan and Atiku Abubakr; YWG shall remain faithful to its cause: – prioritising the interest and well-being of Oodua sons and daughters.
“We have not forgotten how Afenifere worked for Jonathan after he paid their price, just as they gave their support when Atiku agreed with their terms.
“We are not unaware that most of them are not full-blooded Yorubas. We will come out with our expose when the time arises.
“Interestingly, now that its time for a real Yoruba son to be president, the so-called Afenifere who could not hide their frustration are now asking their own children to withdraw and allow the power to shift to Southeast, what a lopsidedness! What a paradox!
“As done in the past, we are once again urging Afenifere not to trade the prevailing peace and harmony in Yoruba land for their personal gains. Afenifere should stop misleading and polluting the minds of the innocent Yoruba youths by pitching them against one tribe just because they want to trade with another tribe.
“We have tracked Ayo Adebanjo’s movement as he fraternises with Onaheze Ndigbo and Pa Edwin Clarke with a view to seeking their support to defeat his perceived enemies. Let Adebanjo pursue this agenda without using Yorubas as cannon fodder. We can’t have a repeat of the First Republic carnage in Yoruba land. Enough is enough.
“Yoruba sons and daugther must therefore deploy their emotional intelligence by refusing to be misled by the outmoded group and the expired individuals. They must be packed aside to be prevented from comiting generational crime against their tribe
“We challenge Afenifere to point out their major achievement for their race since they came into existence as a group. Else, let them refrain from making injurious public statement in the interest of their children as well as ours”, they said.
