Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has once again reiterated his reason for backing the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Speaking during an interview with Daily Independent, the Afenifere chieftain stated that his support for the LP flag bearer is based on equity and fairness.
He opined that the South East has not produced a president since the return of Nigeria to civilian rule in 1999.
Adebanjo argued that the presidency is not a seat meant for some certain regions and it is only fair for the Igbos to take over power
He said “This is not a Yoruba or Igbo affair, the presidency is a national affair and for the sake of equity and unity, we included Federal Character in the Constitution, which was what gave birth to rotation.
“It was the agitation that the Northern region had been monopolising the presidency since the military took over that made us vote massively for the late Chief M.K.O Abiola. When they didn’t allow him to take over, there was a crisis.
“To pacify the South-West, the military brought former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the prison in 1999 to be the President of Nigeria and the rotation started. When he did eight years, they brought the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua. After this, it went back to the South and former president Goodluck Jonathan took over. Later it went back to the North. After the North now, it should be back to the South.
“Should it now go to the South-West after Obasanjo or South- South after Jonathan? Is the South- East not part of the South? That is what is called logic, fairness and inclusiveness.”
Speaking further, he stated that he would not be supporting Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it would not be fair for a Northerner to leave power and another Northerner takes over.
Ha argued that Nigeria have refused to allow the Igbos to create their own sovereign state but choose to continue to sideline them at the national level.
“Also, I would not support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. How can a Northerner leave the office and we give it to another Northerner? All the agitations of the Igbos were what led to the Civil War between 1967 and 1970 and we said they should not go.
“Do we continue to sideline or discriminate against the Igbos, which was what brought the issue of the South East even before the Labour Party gave Peter Obi ticket. I’m not talking of individuals now, let them criticise me on that principle,” he added.
This article was originally published on OsunDaily News
