THE Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s faction of Afenifere has said the decision to support President Goodluck Jonathan in the just-concluded general election was taken in the overall interest of the Yoruba race and the country.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group said this in a communiqué issued by the group and read by Chief Korode Duyile to reporters shortly after its monthly meeting held at the residence of Pa Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Afenifere said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, himself would attest to our not being induced in supporting him in 2007. We were certainly not induced to support President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Our decision was based on our age-long commitment to support a presidential candidate committed to restructuring of Nigeria.
“Afenifere supported Buhari in 2007 when he agreed with Afenifere that he would restructure Nigeria and President Jonathan in 2015 because of his support for the National Conference and devolution of power.
“We will continue to make representation to the President-elect to implement the 2014 Conference resolutions, particularly with regards to restructuring and reduction of recurrent expenditure.
“We call on Yoruba people, irrespective of their political leanings, to continue to pursue the implementation of the report.”
It reiterated its commitment to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, as its own and called on members to continue with its principled philosophy of being the conscience of the nation.
The group urged the incoming government not to discriminate in its fight against corruption.
It said the issue of corruption was so evident and pervasive in Nigeria that it needed to be seriously addressed if the country must move forward.
Afenifere, who congratulated Buhari on his victory in the presidential election, appealed to him to implement the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference.
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