Ekiti Afenifere dissociates self from president’s endorsement

THE Ekiti State chapter of  Afenifere, the pan –Yoruba socio-political association, has dissociated itself from the reported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid by the Afenifere, led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

   Afenifere 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.

     But the Ekiti State chapter of the association in a statement signed by its chairman, Chief Ibidapo Awojolu, in Ado-Ekiti said it was not part of the decision to endorse President Jonathan for the February 14 election. 

   It added that the purported endorsement was hastily done and that it was merely the reflection of the mindset of a few leaders of the group that attended the Akure meeting with the President.

   Awojolu said in spite of the fact that the Ekiti State chapter of  Afenifere 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.

     Insisting that the Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere and a few 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.

   “The February 14 presidential election is too important for the future of our dear country and its people and any decision on it could only be taken after a careful analysis of the situation on ground coupled with extensive consultation. 

   “Despite our respect for Chief Fasoranti’s leadership of Afenifere, we are of the opinion that Afenifere cannot afford to lead its members and the Yoruba nation to endorse any candidate based on mere sentiments and selfish interests of a few”, the statement added.