Falae denies supporting Obi’s candidature

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3 years ago

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a chieftain of the Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae, has denied throwing his weight behind the endorsement of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

This is as the former SGF said he was never aware of Afenifere’s position on Obi and his Labour Party ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Falae, in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant, Captain Moshood Raji (retd), said there was no iota of truth in the report that he has thrown his weight behind LP presidential candidate.

It will be recalled that the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, declared Afenifere’s support for Obi

But Raji in the statement said the statement became necessary to correct the impression that Falae is supporting Obi and not to mislead the public.

The statement read: “The attention of Chief Olu Falae has just been drawn to a publication that has gone viral in which the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation is quoted as saying that he is supporting the candidature of Mr Peter Obi as his preferred choice in the 2023 presidential race.

“Although Chief Falae admitted that he said that it was true that the South-East had not had the opportunity of being Nigeria’s president, it’s for them to persuade other Nigerians that they can offer something better than candidates from other geopolitical zones.

“It’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations, Chief Falae never canvassed or claimed to be supporting Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 race.

“As a responsible leader, Chief Falae will consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track records, before endorsing a candidate.

“This correction is necessary in order not to mislead the public that Chief Falae is supporting any of the candidates yet.

“It is necessary to await the programmes and manifestos of the political parties and their candidates before arriving at a particular candidate to support”

Adebanjo, on Monday, said Afenifere decided to back Obi for equity and inclusiveness, saying the Yoruba had taken the first turn of the zonal arrangement in 1999, which led to the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president.

He said, “The current president is a Fulani from the North-West and by virtue of the zoning arrangement that has governed Nigeria since 1999, power is supposed to return to the south imminently.”

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