The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere says it endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar because Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the All Progressive Congress (APC) do not have the interest of the region at heart.

Describing Osinbajo as an enemy of Yoruba people by not championing the region’s interest in the current government, the group also reaffirmed the resolution of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum and Northern Elders Forum who recently endorsed  Atiku’s candidacy for the 2019 presidential poll.

Arising from its general meeting held in Akure, the country home of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Monday, the Afenifere leaders said that Osinbajo had severally failed to speak out when the need arose on sensitive issues bothering on the region.

In a communiqué signed by its leaders, Pa Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae and Senator Femi Okurounmi, Afenifere said: “Osinbajo is hanging on the Fulani to work against Yoruba interest.

“When our people are getting killed in their farms by Fulani herdsmen, Osinbajo does not say anything. When we are talking about restructuring, Osinbajo is arguing against restructuring and all the Yoruba want is restructuring.

“So when Osinbajo is working against restructuring, he is not for Yoruba people.  So, we cannot support APC because of Osinbajo who has turned himself into the enemy of Yoruba.

“That a person is your son does not mean you support him when he is working against your interest. Osinbajo is working against the interest of Yoruba and our support for Atiku is not the question of Yoruba or Igbo or Hausa but about somebody that believes in what Awolowo believed in, which is federalism.

“We advise all Yoruba to come out and vote for Atiku. So we cannot support APC because of Osinbajo who has turned himself to the enemy of Yoruba.

“That the Atiku endorsement is based on the following reasons; shared commitment to restructuring Nigeria to guarantee true federalism, need to promote the feelings of inclusiveness and sense of belonging amongst Nigerians and promote much desired national patriotism and unity.

On the reported endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Senator Ayo Fasanmi faction, the group added: “These pretenders are doubtlessly not Afenifere members but, as usual, only dubiously seeking to exploit the goodwill and reputation of Afenifere to market their bad political product.

“Their desperation in this regard is exemplified in the fraudulent printing of campaign posters with the name and picture Ambassador Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu as endorsing Buhari and Osinbajo, which she has since disclaimed.”