The National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, has said the group’s endorsement of a candidate in the 2023 election will be based on what that candidate represents and not the region he comes from.
Odumakin said this on Wednesday while featuring on a Punch Online interview programme, ‘The Roundtable’
He said the Afenifere has not endorsed former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, or any non-Yoruba aspirant for the 2023 presidency.
Odumakin stressed that though Tinubu is one of the leaders in Yorubaland, he is not the leader of the Yoruba people.
The Afenifere spokesman also claimed that the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, still wants to run for president in 2023, adding that the group has not given support to anyone.
On the claim by Bakare that Tinubu had fought and won many battles for the Yoruba and “delivered Lagos State and nearly all the South-West states from the onslaught of the PDP from 1999 to 2007”, Odumakin said pastors with massive following should learn to pick their words carefully.
He said, “Those who have the cathedral right to express strong views on the pulpits of God and whose words are taken very seriously by their congregation should be careful of what they say to those who listen to them
“No, there is no doubt that Asiwaju is a leader in Yorubaland but he is not the leader of the Yoruba people,”
He added that “To say Asiwaju has done more for the Yoruba people is debatable”.
The Afenifere spokesman further stated, “You will not earn our support because you are a Yoruba man but we will examine what you stand for.
“We have not given support to anyone at the moment. We are watching those who are interested in the 2023 presidency including Fayemi, Tinubu, and even Bakare himself and other non-Yoruba people.
“Where each candidate stands on the issue of restructuring and federalism will determine who gets our support.
“Afenifere is not afraid to state our support for any candidate and any party.”
Read also|: Tinubu’s loyalists inaugurate 2023 campaign movement in Ibadan
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