As the 2019 general elections draws closer, former president Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a surprise visit to the leaders of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere in Akure ,the state capital saying the age-long hostility between him and the group was over.
The former President who simply told journalists that he came to visit his father said the hostility has been amicably resolved.
Obasanjo, a strong leader of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and convener of Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), contrary to widespread expectations, paid a surprise visit to the group which was said to be the first of its kind in 15 years.
The close door meeting which lasted about 30 minutes took place in the home of the leader of the group, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti at about 3:03pm and he was was received by other chieftains of the party.
At the end of the meeting Chief Obasanjo, in his usual jovial style, said he had “only come to greet my father.”
He dismissed further probes on whether the meeting had any political intention and the “why-now” question, saying “can a son not come to see his father any time he wishes? Do I have to take permission from you before seeing my father? And how does that become your concern?”
But the Leader of Afenifere, Pa Fasoranti , who was flanked by other leaders of the group like Chief Seinde Arogbofa, the Secretary General of the Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Kole Omololu, Chief Femi Aliko among others, described it as a good reunion.
“He (Obasanjo) said he has come to pay courtesy visit, saying he appreciates all my efforts about Nigeria particularly the Yoruba nation. He has come now because he values my friendship.”
Fielding questions from journalists if the former President discussed 2019 general elections, he said, “No,” adding that that the primordial hostility between Obasanjo and the Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation “is over now.”
Whereas, he declared that Afenifere supports the letters written to President Muhammadu Buhari to protest the indiscriminate killing of Nigerians, herdsmen menace, sectional fight against corruption and other excesses of the Federal Government.
“We are in full support. We are dissatisfied with the mode of governance, we are dissatisfied,” he said, however, pointing out that they didn’t discuss the ADC though was also in support of a mega party to dislodge APC in 2019 elections.
On the possible merger among SDP, PDP and ADC ahead of the mega party, he enthused that “it is the joy of everybody if formidable teams can unite against the evil government that we have there now.
“Look at the killings in the north, the President is very very silent about it. And they are his people, and we are all Nigerians, that is bad enough.”
