The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has uneveiled his agenda to the leadership of the socio-political group, New Afenifere, in Lagos, seeking its support ahead of the 2023 presidential election scheduled to hold in February.
Kwankwaso sought the support when he met the leadership at a strategic meeting on Sunday at Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Recall that Afenifere was formed as a socio-cultural organization for the Yoruba people of Nigeria, with Chief Abraham Adesanya as its pioneer leader and Chief Bola Ige as deputy leader.
Other founding members were Pa Onasanya, Reuben Fasoranti, Adegbonmire, Okurounmu Femi, Ganiyu Dawodu, Olanihun Ajayi, Olu Falae, Adebayo Adefarati, Alhaji Adeyemo and Ayo Adebanjo.
When the Alliance for Democracy, AD, political party was formed in 1998, it took the Afenifere agenda as its official manifesto.
Earlier in 2022, Afenifere led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, endorsed the candidature of the presidential standard-bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, saying it was based on national interest and the decision remains sacrosanct.
Subsequently, the topmost leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Reuben Fasoranti, declared that the group had never endorsed Obi for the 2023 presidential election as its preferred candidate.
Fasoranti stated this when he blessed and endorsed All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu for the elections when the latter paid him a visit at his Akure residence, Ondo State, recently.
Kwankwaso
Meanwhile, while unveiling his agenda before the group, the NNPP presidential candidate promised to run an inclusive governance, stressing that his party would salvage the country from the challenges bedevelling it.
According Kwankwaso: “Let me on behalf of the members of our party, NNPP, thank the leadership of the new Afenifere for finding us worthy of this endorsement.
“I am not suprised that these young men have decided to endorse us because even in Kano, North West, South, we have young men and women who are supporting this course.
“I believe NNPP is for the young people, world and everybody, so I want to thank you for the foresight and for doing the right.
“And I want to assure you that our party will carry each and everyone you along at national level , zone, state and even at grassroots.
“Everybody knows where we are today in this country.
“The two parties have failed in our opinion. PDP was the first to fail, then we thought another progressive party in the name of APC will save this country.
“But many people are of the opinion that even PDP was better than the APC because of where we have found ourselves in term of security, economy, dilapidated infrastructure and so on.
“Our young men cannot go to school, either because of the strike, insecurity or money to buy forms or to maintain themselves in schools.
“But our party has come out to ensure that every child have access to education, not minding the economic status.”
Afenifere
Earlier, the Coordinator of New Afenifere, Ajibade Adeyeye stressed that his group has chosen to identify with the NNPP presidential candidate because of his track record.
According to Adeyeye: “The new Afenifere hereby state that we as concerned socio-political umbrella known as New Afenifere and I have decided to take our future in our hands to prepare for the upcoming 2023 election.
“We have called on our elder statesmen not to impose on us anymore, but to allow us to choose our preferred presidential candidate because we believe we are old enough to make decision for ourselves and for our future.
“So, on behalf of the New Afenifere, we have decided to forge ahead and endorse the candidature of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa to see toward a new nigeria.
“Therefore, I beseech all Yoruba race, all Afenifere lover, who truly want true democracy to continue to exist in Nigeria, to join hands together with us by endorsing once again.
“As we know, he has antecedents, track records; it is just quite unfortunate that we Nigerians don’t follow quality.
“Otherwise if we keep on recycling all these old politicians, it is like recycling old wines in new bottle.
“Let’s trust him as we have trusted others. If he decides to fail us, it depends on him, but I know Engr. Musa Kwankwaso will perform,” he said.
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