The apex Yoruba social-cultural body, Afenifere on Monday threw its weight behind former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his bid to thwart the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after his visit to Afenifere leader, Pa Rueben Fasaronti, Obasanjo called on Nigerians to look beyond ethnicity and do what was necessary to save the country from disaster in the forthcoming elections in the country.

Accompanied by businessman, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe and Akin Osuntokun who was his aide while he was in office as civilian president, Obasanjo said there was a need for Nigerians to build a consensus ahead of the coming election in the country.

“Nigerians’ priority now should be one and if we fail to get it right, it will be disastrous for this country,” Obasanjo said.

He added: “We are now on the same page with the group to save Nigeria from the verge of destruction. Afenifere has been talking about the interest of the Yoruba while I have been talking about the general interest of Nigeria.”

While recounting how he was rejected thrice by the then leader of Afenifere, late Pa Abraham Adesanya, Obasanjo commended the leadership of the group for being in the forefront of a just and equitable Nigeria.

Also speaking with journalists after the meeting, Pa Fasoranti said the group would support any realignment to oust the present administration, expressing worries that the country was at  crossroads with the President keeping mum in the face of incessant killings across the country.

Fasoranti said: “We are in full support of all the letters written by Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the nation. We are dissatisfied with the state of affairs in the country. The country is not being run properly.”

He stressed that Afenifere was in support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling on them to present a formidable team to confront the current administration which he described as evil.

Afenifere leaders present at the meeting which lasted more than 30 minutes and held behind closed doors include Chief Femi Aluko, Chief Kole Omololu, Chief Bakita Bello, Chief Sola Ebiseni and Demola Ijabiyi .