NATIONAL: Why Afenifere backed PDP in 2015, 2019 presidential elections — Odumakin

THE National Publicity Secretary of Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, has debunked the claim that the group has become an arm of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Odumakin, who cleared the air on why Afenifere threw its weight behind the PDP on two successive electoral years, stressed that the main opposition party would not be the first political party to enjoy such support.

Featuring on a Punch Online interview programme, ‘The Roundtable’, on Wednesday, Odumakin noted that Afenifere supported the PDP in the 2015 and 2019 elections because one of the promises of the party in both years was to restructure the country.

Odumakin, however, reminded that President Buhari enjoyed the support of Afenifere as well in 2007 when he contested on the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) because he claimed to be a proponent of restructuring.

He said, “In 2007, Afenifere endorsed Buhari as the presidential candidate of ANPP. So, whoever we endorse at any election is a function of what they represent.

“When Afenifere endorsed Buhari, he was saying that he supported restructuring. On the two occasions (2015 and 2019) that Afenifere has endorsed PDP, the party stood on the question of restructuring. It is not about the party, it is a function of what they said they would do that tallies with what we believe in.”

On whether the group would support Jonathan if he chooses to contest for president in 2023, the Afenifere spokesperson said, “As I said, when the time comes, we will look at all the parameters and take a position. Afenifere is not afraid to take a position. and we will give reasons why we believe the candidate is the best.”