The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, met the foremost leader of the pan-Yoruba, socio-political organization (Afenifere), Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State.
Mr Tinubu, decked in a brown native attire, arrived at Mr Fasoranti’s residence in the company of Bisi Akande, a former interim chairman of the APC; Iyiola Omisore, APC National Secretary; Pius Akinyelure, a Former National Vice Chairman of the APC South-West Zone; Dayo Adeyeye, National Chairman, Southwest Agenda for Tinubu 2023 presidential ambition (SWAGA) among others.
It was gathered that the APC presidential candidate shortly after his arrival immediately went into a closed door with Mr Fasoranti where he received the blessing of the Afenifere leader.
Mr Tinubu, who spoke while presenting a copy of his manifesto to Pa Fasoranti, recalled how he earlier informed him of his decision to run for the presidency.
Mr Tinubu appealed to Mr Fasoranti, to remain alive to attend his inauguration
The former Lagos Governor promised to turn the ship of affairs of the country around.
He said God would make him keep to the promises he made.
Meanwhile, Mr Fasoranti’s group listed expectations from APC presidential candidate.
It said it expects things to turn around in the country under Tinubu.
A former Secretary General of Afenifere, Seinde Arogbofa, who spoke when Tinubu visited the group to present his manifesto, said those opposed to restructuring were already trying to implement it.
According to him: “We will like you to restructure. Insecurity is everywhere. With the introduction of State police, this will be done. Insecurity led to the formation of Amotekun. We are already seeing Amotekun as the precursor to state police.”
Some of the dignitaries at the meeting were: Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Professor Isaac Adewole, Oba Olu Falae, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, General Alani Akinrinade, General Olu Bajowa, Mr Sola Iji, Dr Kunle Olajide, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Bisi Akande, Dare Babarinsa, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Oyo Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Ondo Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Others were: Chief Segun Adesegun, representing former Governor Segun Osoba, Senator Tony Adefuye, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, State leaders of Afenifere and many others.
Mr Fasoranti, 96, stepped down from the leadership of Afenifere 2021 after leading the foremost Yoruba group since 2008. He announced Ayo Adebanjo as his successor during a meeting held at his residence on March 16, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Adebanjo-led Afenifere has expressed its disavowal of Mr Tinubu’s 2023 presidential run, instead casting its support for Peter Obi.
Mr Adebanjo said he supports Mr Obi, a former Anambra governor, in the spirit of fairness as the South-East, where Mr Obi hails from, is the only main region yet to produce a Nigerian president since the advent of the fourth republic.
Mr Tinubu’s visit to Mr Fasoranti, behind Mr Adebanjo’s back, could appear to be a significant political coup.
