Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has reiterated its resolve to
support the candidacy of former vice president and frontline presidential
aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, come 2019.
The group made its position known on Sunday when it hosted Atiku in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, a leader of the group and prodemocracy veteran,
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, stated that the group has taken time to think through
all the aspirants and looking at the dossier of Atiku, there is a general
consensus that his desire for restructuring is genuine.
“You (Atiku) have been writing about restructuring over a decade ago. You
gave me your commitment to restructure Nigeria within six months in one of
our meetings several years ago.
“When people talk about good governance and promise good road,
agricultural development and all that, we just laugh. There must be a
country first before any development. Nigeria can not have peace and
stability without restructuring.
“We know that there is no greater champion of restructuring from the North
than Atiku.
In his remark, Atiku Abubakar stated that his commitment to restructuring
is absolute and this position has once gotten him a query when he was vice
president.
“In all my political career, I have not seen Nigeria in a state of danger
that may affect its existence as a country as at today. This is because –
just like a house- if you get a faulty foundation that building is not
likely to last. This is where we find ourselves.
“As a vice president, I came to Lagos then to discuss why we should
restructure this country so that we can survive and provide leadership for
West Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. That lecture earned me a
query from my boss then. I can assure you that I will restructure Nigeria
within six months of my administration,” he said.
Present at the gathering includes former Senator Femi Okunronmu, Professor
Akitoye, former Minister Adeseye Ogunlewe amongst others.