Chief Olu Falae has said he is in support of call for president from Igbo extraction in 2023.
He said he is unaware of the Afenifere’s position on Peter Obi.
“I am an Afenifere but as far as I am aware, Afenifere has not taken a position as an organization on a presidential candidate,” Pa Olu Falae said.
The former finance minister said his support for Igbo presidency is based on equity, fairness and justice, stating that the two other major tribes — Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani — have produced presidents, it’s only natural to allow Igbo to produce the next president.
“However, if you are a fair-minded Yoruba person, you will realise that there are three legs to the political tripods in Nigeria, the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo.
“The first two have been presidents and so, equity requires that the Igbo should be president. So, if you are a fair-minded Yoruba person like I am, then you will vote for the Igbo based on equity.”
However, the Yoruba Council of Elders said they do not align with Afenifere’s position. According to Vanguard, Secretary-General of YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, when contacted stated that the Yoruba elders will meet and take a position on which of the presidential candidates to support in 2023.
“We have not been informed or briefed. Yes, we support restructuring and we stand for restructuring but as far as we are concerned, restructuring should be fundamental to any incoming government,” Dr Olajide told Vanguard.
He said although the elders were not informed, Afenifere was not wrong in making its position known.
“So, Afenifere is not wrong in taking that decision but we were not informed, my president was not informed. We will make our stand known soon but we are not aligned to Afenifere supporting the presidential candidate of Labour Party.”