2023 ELECTION: On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Yoruba elders under the aegis of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), a faction of the Yoruba committee of elders disclosed their support for the All Progressives Congress’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

They said that the former governor of Lagos State will make a difference as a leader and that he is eminently suited to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, while Afenifere, the apex Yoruba Socia-political group says Peter Obi is the better man.

Basic Facts

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential flag bearer after defeating other top contestants at the May 26 convention in Abuja
The elders said that Bola Ahmed Tinubu served credibly as a senator in the third Republic and as a two-term governor of Lagos State.
Two Yoruba groups have now openly taken a stand respectively for Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi

What We Know

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) from the Nigerian Southwest is a faction of the committee of elders of the Yoruba nation, one of the three major tribes that constitute the Nigerian State.

The elders believe that Tinubu has the credentials and history because he was a senator under the Third Republic and twice served as governor of the “Centre of Excellence” – Lagos State.

According to them, Tinubu’s efforts to sustain democracy in Nigeria were sufficient to secure his win come 2023.

This was made known by the council in a statement following its quarterly meeting in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The communiqué was signed by Mr. Francis Akinikawe, Chairman; Chief Clement Fadipe, Secretary; Aremu Akindele, National Treasurer; and Funmi Jabaru, National Welfare Officer.

To ensure unity and cohesiveness before the elections next year, the Southwest APC also unveiled a detailed reconciliation plan for the six states in the Southwest.

YCE characterized Tinubu as a destabilized Nigerian and a good leader who oversaw an inclusive administration while serving as governor of Lagos State.

The group argued that Tinubu represents justice, fairness, and racial unity as the leading defender of democracy in Nigeria.

If elected president, YCE expressed optimism that Tinubu would address the multitude of issues confronting Nigeria.

Notable Quotes

The communique reads in part, “We believe that you are capable of leading the nation despite challenges of insecurity, economy downtown, and we know you can turn the nation for the better.”

“We want the world to know that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a phenomenon in the world of politics.”

“We are not against anyone’s group or aspirations but all we are saying is that Asiwaju is the right person for the job.”

“He is the best man for the job at this period while our support for his candidacy’s burn out of his starling performances and track record of achievements over the years as fishers of men with just and equitable management of men and re-distribution of the available resources under his watch at every given opportunity.”

Takeaway/Afenifere Disagrees

Clariform reports that in addition to the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), there are also other social-cultural and socio-political groups operating in the Southwest part of Nigeria.

This groups each sometimes profess different political ideologies and stands on political issues, including whom to support for the 2023 presidential election.

Recall that the Afenifere, the Apex Yoruba organization is known to have taken a contrary stand in the upcoming 2023 presidential election.

The group have consistently maintained their support for a presidential candidate from the Southeast geographical extraction. This support was recently renewed by the leader of the pan Yoruba group in an online interview monitored by Clariform.

Ayo Adebanjo the current leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, as recent as 4 weeks ago openly declared support for Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party candidate.

The Yoruba leader was of the opinion that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu is not fit for the office of the Nigerian president. He contended that it was Tinubu who sold the current President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians in 2015.

While speaking in an interview in an online radio programme, Yoruba Gbode, Adebanjo said: “In my opinion, only Peter Obi can rule the country independently without the influence of these criminals in the government. Tinubu will only give continuity to Buhari’s incompetence.

“We know Peter Obi very well , that’s why we endorsed him. He will not disappoint Nigerians, let’s put tribal differences apart and vote the right leader in.

“Tinubu sold Buhari to over 200 million Nigerians for his own selfish interest of wanting to rule after Buhari. None of them loves Nigeria.

“Easterners are also Nigerians, they deserve to rule. I am sure Peter Obi will not subject himself to the northerners like Tinubu and Atiku would do if elected.”

Catch-up

Clariform recalls that The ‘ROT Like Minds’, a political organization organized special prayers for Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the APC presidential candidate on Sunday in Lagos.

The joint special prayers between Muslims and Christians were presided over by the group’s coordinator, Mr. Jimmy Akinboro.

According to Akinboro, “ROT Like Minds” organized the prayers to ask for a heavenly intervention on behalf of Tinubu and Sanwo-aspirations. Olu’s

Notable Quotes

“The group believes that Tinubu’s presidential ambition will become a reality by seeking the blessings of God.”

“Tinubu is a trusted and tested leader who has touched lives and redefined leadership in and out of political positions.”

“This is not the first time that this type of program is being held.

“We have embarked upon this prayer session in honor of our principal and our mentor.”

“This is because he has unfolded his ambition to become the president of the country by the grace of God.”

“We are his foot soldiers and we are his loyalists. All of us have come under the banner of this group to organize this Christian and Muslim prayer session.”

“We want to hand over all our affairs to God so that He can guide us and grant our request.”

“This is so that Tinubu can become president to continue to do what he knows how to do best, which is developing people and developing society.”