National Publicity Secretary of the Pan Yoruba socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, has said the group has not endorsed any presidential candidate.
Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, Comrade Ajayi said the clarification becomes necessary in view of the meaning imputed into the interview.
He said: “further to the recent interview granted welcoming the emergence of a Southern candidate for the forthcoming presidential election and the misinterpretation being given to it, it has become imperative to make the following clarification.
“South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, of which Afenifere is a key member, campaigned seriously that political parties should zone their presidential slot to the Southern part of Nigeria – preferably the South East.
“Afenifere Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has consistently been agitating that the slot must go to the South East specifically on the ground of equity, fairness and justice.
“Unfortunately, the moral position of the Afenifere leader on the issue was lost on some people.
“The response by the undersigned to the question posed in the course of the interview was an interpretation of the position of SMBF to wit: presidency must come to the South, preferably South East.
“It was clearly stated in the response that what APC has done was halfway of the organization’s demand or expectation.
“It was never stated in the response as published that Afenifere unilaterally endorsed APC’s position on its Presidential candidate.
“Rather what was stated was the position taken by the SMBF.”
