The crisis rocking the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has showed no sign of abating as a splinter group named ‘New Afenifere’ has emerged.
The group which was unveiled in Lagos, on Sunday emerged to put an end to the rule of the old folks, the Coordinator of the New Afenifere, Comrade Ajibade Adeyeye declared.
During the unveiling, Adeyeye said his group has endorsed the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Lagos State on Sunday.
According to Adeyeye, the faction decided to throw its weight behind the former Kano State Governor because of his track record and capacity to savage the nation.
“The new Afenifere hereby states that we are concerned with the socio-political umbrella known as new Afenifere and I dare say we have decided to take our future into our hands to prepare for the upcoming 2023 election.
“We have called on our elder statesmen not to impose on us anyone but to allow us to choose our preferred presidential candidate because we believe we are old enough to make decisions for ourselves and for our future.
“So, on behalf of the New Afenifere, we have decided to forge ahead and endorse the candidature of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa to see toward a new Nigeria,” Adeyeye said.
Speaking at the meeting, Kwankwaso appreciated the leadership of the New Afenifere for endorsing his candidacy, promising to run inclusive governance that would positively touch every part of the country.
He said, “Let me, on behalf of the members of our party, thank the leadership of the New Afenifere for finding us worthy of this endorsement.
“I am not surprised that these young men have decided to endorse us because even in Kano, the Northwest and the South, we have young men and women who are supporting this cause.
“I believe the NNPP is for the young people, the world and everybody. So, I want to thank you for the foresight and for doing the right thing.”
The New Diplomat reports that the development is coming amid the division within Afenifere.
It would be recalled that the crisis began when the Acting Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo backed the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Weeks after, the leader of the yoruba group, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti also declared his support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 election.
