To prevent losing the election, Ayo Adebanjo asks Bola Tinubu to support Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president, has come under pressure from the leader of the Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, who claims that northerners will not support him.
Mr. Adebanjo persuaded Mr. Tinubu to retire in favor of Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, in order to avoid the embarrassment of losing the election.
This was said by him on Saturday during an Labour Party presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta.
At the event, Mr. Adebanjo, who was joined by Femi Okunronmu, another Afenifere leader, predicted that Mr. Tinubu would be let down by Northerners.
The leader of Afenifere referred to the Labou Party as the new National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which, in his opinion, would protect Nigerians from the APC’s misrule.
“Everyone who knows Tinubu should tell him—as I always did and as I shall again—that the Northerners won’t support him.
“He (Tinubu) should return home now and support Obi because he won’t have the fortitude to do so if they eventually defeat him. We will accept him back and forgive him if he returns right away.
“The Labour Party is now NADECO, as I’ve said before and will repeat again. Those of us who support Obi are the ones who desire good administration, a better Nigeria, and freedom from being held captive by the ruling class.
“We support Obi, and leaders of the progressive movement support Obi. Those thugs who pose as Yoruba have no affection for the nation. The Yoruba do not steal from other tribes’ property. A Yoruba has served as president previously, according to Mr. Adebanjo.
Prior to speaking at the event, which was primarily attended by young people, Mr. Obi had previously paid a visit to the palace of the Alake of Abeokuta, Adedotun Gbadebo.
Mr. Obi reconnected with the youth after the rally at a town hall event held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
He referred to Nigeria as the world’s most unstable nation throughout the meeting.
“As for me, the records are there, and I have served the people of Anambra State. I was rated as Number 1 in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Even in the sphere of education, I have helped people escape poverty without taking a single kobo from anyone, and I have already paid off all outstanding pensions before taking office.
“Therefore, let presidential contenders show Nigerians what they have accomplished in the past before seeking to lead the nation.
“We are committed to creating a new Nigeria; we need candidates that are competent for the position and confident. Elections this year are crucial because we can no longer tolerate incompetence. This profession involves both physical and cerebral energies, so we want candidates who will demonstrate commitment. So, we need candidates who are prepared for the position. Datti and I want to transform Nigeria.
Nigeria is a wonderful nation, but we have all allowed it to fall into the hands of a select minority who lack the necessary management skills.
Since splitting apart in the now-defunct Alliance for Democracy party, which helped Mr. Tinubu win the 1999 election for governor of Lagos State, Mr. Adebanjo and Mr. Tinubu have been political rivals for more than 20 years.
Afenifere members hosted a reception for Mr. Tinubu at the Akure house of a former group leader where they endorsed Mr. Tinubu’s campaign after Mr. Adebanjo revealed his support of Mr. Obi last year.