AFENIFERE chieftains led by Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola have thrown their weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid for second term in office.
A meeting yesterday at the home of one of the few remaining associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in Osogbo, hailed Buhari, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for implementing progressive steps to actualise the country’s gradual restructuring.
The leaders, who attended the meeting include Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd), former APC Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, former Secretary to Osun State Government Sola Akinwumi and former Osun State APC Chairman Elder Adebiyi Adelowo.
Others were Prof. Anthony Onipede, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Senator Biyi Durojaye, who represented Asiwaju Tinubu, Chief Akin Fasae representing Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Bayo Ademola, Otunba Akin Oluwadare and Bayo Aina.
They noted that the Buhari administration has granted autonomy to the judiciary and legislature as well as local government administrations.
They said the steps took by the Federal Government to ensure survival of institutions of government were necessary to attain restructuring goals.
The leaders hailed the governors and people of Southwest for their abiding commitment to Nigeria and efforts for restructuring.
A communique signed by Senator Fasanmi and other leaders after the meeting advised Nigerians to stand by Buhari and return him to office in 2019 for the next generation to be empowered and enjoy the gains of the fight against corruption.
The leaders said the support for Buhari would create an opportunity for the next generation to be strengthened and to be able to chart a prosperous course for Nigeria from 2019 and beyond.
The leaders said the summit of the Yoruba people holding in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in January next year would address strategy to protect interest of Southwest geo-political zone ahead of 2019 general elections.
They said the summit would address issues and plans to ensure victory for APC to guarantee life in abundance for Yoruba people and Nigerians.
After the meeting, a delegation of the Afenifere leaders visited the governor.
Durojaye, who spoke after being mandated by Fasanmi, said the group is the authentic Afenifere and that Afenifere means progressives.
He added that the only known progressive party in Nigeria is the APC.
Durojaye described Pa Fasanmi as “the oldest living senator in the country and a direct disciple of Chief Awolowo, who was the authentic Yoruba leader”.
Oyetola, who they described as a true progressive, said “President Buhari is running welfarist social intervention programmes like the TraderMoni” among others.
The governor hailed “the real Afenifere leaders” for their genuine interest in the masses.
He promised the leaders, who hailed his election, that he would run an administration they would be proud of.
Other leaders in the delegation are Prince Olusi, Mutiu Are and Pa Yemi Alade and others.