Afenifere the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of Yorubas, at home and in the Diaspora, has, in a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting, held at their Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, residence on Sunday, March, 28, 2023 stated that the process and conduct of the 2023 general election in virtually all parts of the country were not only marred by rigging, electoral violence, voter suppression, announcement of fictitious results, but also contravened the provisions of the country’s constitution, the 2022 Electoral Act and the guidelines and regulations made pursuant there to with concomitant legislative force.
The comminiquo, dated March, 28, reads as follows,
The Afenifere held its regular monthly General Meeting today, 28th day of March 2023, at the residence of our Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.
After intensive deliberations on the state of the Nigerian Federation, the Meeting which was presided over by our Leader aforesaid and attended by delegates from the member states of our Organisation observed and Resolved as follows:
RESOLUTIONS.
That Afenifere reiterate our position that the Presidential election held on the 25th of February 2023 was characterised by all forms of primitive manipulations and noncompliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Guidelines and Regulations made pursuant thereto with concomitant legislative force.
Reiterate that “the results of the lawful votes at the Presidential election available to the Afenifere through credible sources confirm that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won the said election and we, thus, support his decision challenging the contrary declaration by the INEC.
Re-assert that for equity, fairness, national cohesion and peaceful corporate existence, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be person of its southern part and specifically the South-East.
its members, in covenant with the Nigerian people.
Call on the President and Government of Nigeria to restore the patriotic confidence and hope of the Nigerian people in the continued corporate existence of the federation which will guaranty their safety throughout Nigeria.
Appreciate the genuine and renewed interests of the international community in the security and democratic health of Nigeria and urge that as a prominent member of the global community, the affairs of Nigeria should continue to be of concern to the world.
