The pro-Tinubu and pro-Osinbajo campaign groups have expressed their disagreements with the statement made by the Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, that both the vice president, Barr. Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should drop their bids for 2023 presidency.
Chief Adebanjo had said in an interview on Tuesday that the two major presidential aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone should forget their presidential ambitions.
The 94 years old elder statesman said it was the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next President after the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.
According to him, it is an injustice for a South-West President to emerge in 2023 as ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from Ogun State ruled from 1999 to 2007; while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, also from Ogun State, has been in since May 2015 and would have spent eight years in power by May 2023.
Adebanjo added that the South-South zone has also had a shot at both President and Vice-President positions with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2007 and 2010 (as VP) and from 2010 to 2015 (as President).
The chairman of the pro-Tinubu group, South West Agenda 2023 group, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, during a press interview, however, disagreed with Chief Adebanjo, saying that the rotation principle of the presidency is between the North and South of the country.
He said, “The rotation principle in Nigeria is between the North and the South and whenever it rotates to any of the regions, whether South or North, every of the geopolitical zones in that region are free to contest for the presidency. Now, it is the turn of the South and we absolutely believe that anybody in the South, including those from the South West, are free to throw their hats into the ring and challenge for the presidency.
“This is exactly what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing and he is enjoying tremendous support not only in the South West which is his own base, but throughout the entire length and breadth, nook and cranny of Nigeria and therefore, no person will sit in one corner and say Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should forget his presidential ambition. Certainly, he will contest for the presidency.”
Likewise, the Convener, Progressive Lawyers for Osinbajo, Dr Kayode Ajulo, explained that the opinion of Adebanjo does not indicate the position of the Afenifere group.
He said, “The presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not about making emotive statements. I know that if Afenifere wants to say anything, it has to be decided on. Afenifere is not a conclave of what people don’t know what is being done there. The way we have been doing it is that the issue would be deliberated upon by Afenifere and there would be a communique collectively passed. I ask, where is the communiqué of Afenifere saying this?
“For some time now I have not seen such things from Afenifere. I have not received any notification to this effect and no one else has confirmed receiving any invitation. Baba Adebanjo is entitled to his opinion. But where is Baba Reuben Fasoranti? Where is Baba Sehinde Arogbofa? Where is Chief Sola Ebiseni? Where is Olu Falae’s opinion on this issue? This is not an issue that only one person will just make a sweeping remark. Where did these men deliberate on this issue?
“I am worried that it is being termed Afenifere’s position. Afenifere has procedures, ways and manners such issue is to be discussed. As it is, I see more of Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s personal opinion which he is entitled to, but please it is clear how President of Nigerians should emerge.”
-punchng (modified)