2019- Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, on Monday declared Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as an enemy of the Yoruba race.

Afenifere said Osinbajo was working against the interest of the Yoruba and the group would not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of him.

The group made the declaration while explaining its decision not to support the APC because of Osinbajo, who is a Yoruba man.

It said the Vice President was against restructuring of the country and that he never spoke against the killing of Yoruba people in their farms by Fulani herdsmen.

“That a person is your son does not mean you support him when he is working against your interest. Osinbajo is working against the interest of the Yorubas.

“And our support for Atiku is not the question of Yoruba or Igbo or Hausa but about somebody that believes in what Awolowo believed in which is federalism.

“When our people were getting killed in their farms by Fulani herdsmen, Osinbajo did not say anything. When we are talking about restructuring, Osinbajo is arguing against it.

“All the Yoruba want is restructuring. When Osinbajo is working against restructuring, he is not for the Yoruba people. So, we cannot support APC because of Osinbajo who has turned himself to the enemy of Yoruba,” Afenifere said.

In a communique issued after its general meeting held at the Akure residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere affirmed the resolution of its leadership and that of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum endorsing the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Afenifere said the endorsement was based on shared commitment to restructuring Nigeria to guarantee true federalism and the need to promote the feelings of inclusiveness and sense of belonging amongst Nigerians as well as promote much desired national patriotism and unity.

The group also said it supported Atiku because of the need to promote economic growth and prosperity and to address the present insecurity in the nation.

“We are not unmindful of some impostors parading themselves as Afenifere holding meetings and endorsing General Muhammadu Buhari to continue in office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in spite of his incompetence, cluelessness, nepotism, tribalism, religious bigotry, ill-health and glaring mental incapacity.

“These pretenders are doubtlessly not Afenifere members but, as usual, only dubiously seeking to exploit the goodwill and reputation of Afenifere to market their bad political product.

“Their desperation in this regard is exemplified in the fraudulent printing of campaign posters in the name and picturing Ambassador Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu as endorsing Buhari and Osinbajo, which she has since disclaimed.

“The Afenifere hereby calls on Nigerians and all Yoruba people, in particular, to come out en masse and vote for the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party and to protect their votes in the interest of good governance and life more abundant for all Nigerians,” the communique said.

It was signed Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae and Senator Femi Okurounmi.