The Ekiti chapter of the pan-Yoruba socio-political association, the Afenifere has dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate as its candidate for the February 14 election.President Jonathan with Afenifere chieftains at Pa Fasoranti's residence
President Jonathan with Afenifere chieftains at Pa Fasoranti’s residence
The association under its national leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti had hinged its support for President Jonathan on his commitment to the restructuring of the country through the convocation of the National Conference last year.
The chairman of the association in Ekiti State, Chief Ibidapo Awojolu, yesterday, said it was not part of the group’s decision to endorse Jonathan for the election.
According to Awojolu, the purported endorsement was hastily done and was merely the reflection of the mindset of a few leaders of the group that attended the Akure meeting with the President.
While admitting the fact that the state chapter of the association has a tremendous respect for Chief Fasoranti’s leadership of the group, it however, differed with him on the issue of endorsement of the President.
He insisted that the Afenifere has yet to take a decision on the February 14 presidential election, stressing that it was embarrassing for a few leaders of the group to attempt to impose their personal views as the official position of the pan-Yoruba group.
Awojolu said it was wrong for Afenifere leaders to admit that the Jonathan administration is committed to the restructuring of the polity simply because it convoked a National Conference when the generality of Nigerians are of the opinion that the confab was a mere window dressing.
The elder statesman, however, insisted that the Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere and other state chapters of the group are not part of the decision.
Awojolu said the position of the generality of Afenifere as a body would be made known shortly before the election. “For now, we are still studying the programmes of the various political parties and their candidates. Our position would be made known later,” Awojolu said.