Afenifere endorses Jonathan for second term

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, its leader, Reuben Fasoranti, said on Tuesday.

The endorsement was announced in Akure, capital of Ondo state, where the president, taking opportunity of his campaign rally in the state capital, met Afenifere members at the residence of Fasoranti.

According to Seinde Arogbofa, national secretary of the group, Jonathan was being supported to enable him complete the transformation Agenda and implement the resolutions of last year’s national confab.

“Afenifere is a socio political association. We have always spoken out our minds on any matter that affects our country,” Arogbofa said.

“We therefore want to say it loud and clear that after considering so many things, the Nigerian constitution inclusive, we see you for now as the best option to continue as the president of our dear country. Consequently, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join us.”

On behalf of the group, he urged the president to step up the war against insurgency and ensure that infrastructure and national offices are evenly distributed throughout the country.

Afenifere also thanked Jonathan for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Medical College, Akure.

On the conference report, Jonathan said: “We will not play politics with the report’. I will not relent in the fight against insurgency and I will not transfer it to my next administration.

“The Yoruba race is key to Nigeria’s development and my administration would continue to work with the people for national development.”

He thanked Afenifere for the endorsement, saying: “We will achieve more for Nigerians. All we want is the support of the people. We will not disappoint you.”

Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of the group, told journalists after the meeting that Jonathan had promised to adopt the report of the national confab within 12 months of returning to office.

“This is the first time Afenifere will be endorsing any president,” Olusegun Mimiko, governor of the state, said.