His presence at the recent endorsement of the Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the leadership of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, generated ripples but Dr. Kunle Olajide who until recently was the Secretary-General, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has talked about the rationale behind the move.

He said, “people, particularly members of the press, usually have this notion that the Yoruba Council of Elders is in competition for relevance with the Afenifere. This is not the case. I must tell you that both organisations are interested in the progress, unity and the development of the Yoruba race. We are both passionate about issues relating to the welfare and wellbeing of the people and the Yoruba nation.

“The difference perhaps is that Afenifere makes no pretence about being socio-political while the Yoruba Council of Elders is apolitical. We are not political at all and we are never in any way affiliated ourselves with any political party. Our endorsement is borne out of the fact that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu possesses the requisite competence and track record to turn around the fortunes of the country if elected into office as the country’s president.

“We are of the belief that he has the needed political network of political associates having built bridges of friendship across the length and breadth of Nigeria. He has shown enough benevolence to all manner of Nigerians from the Savanna to the Atlantic Ocean over the years. Above all, he is our son, so therefore, we are endorsing him for the Presidency. Our endorsement has nothing to do with any political party. We are endorsing him on his merit. He is our son, we are standing and we will keep standing by him,” he said.

He added that “if you permit me to say, all Yorubas are automatic members of Afenifere. Anytime they try to support a political party, we withdraw or move back so that we preserve our unity of all Nigerians irrespective of whatever political party they belong to. We want the good of all Nigerians and the endorsement of Tinubu is consistent with that policy and philosophy. We are members but when they go political, some of us who are members of the Yoruba Council of Elders will withdraw. This is our own son, whatever political party he belongs to doesn’t matter to us. We are bound to support him and his aspiration. We should give him all the needed backing to become the president of the country notwithstanding the political party that he belongs to. Apart from that, his track record of performance over time has also put him in good reckoning. He is the most competent among those contesting the Presidency now.”

According to him, everybody has the right to his own opinion and decision “but for me, anyone desirous of political power must play politics well in a heterogeneous environment such as Nigeria. If any part of Nigeria does not play its politics right it won’t get the Presidency. If the Yoruba nation, Ijaw nation or Hausa nation don’t play their politics right, the chances are that you will hold the wrong end of the stick most of the time, if not all the time. If you fail in this, you will be holding the wrong end of the stick and you will appear to be losing out in the political calculations and permutations. Politics is a serious business and you must do your calculations very well and must be able to read the political barometer in the manner that would favour you. A good politician or group who seeks power must be able to understand and adapt to the prevailing political barometer in Nigeria. Our country is deeply heterogeneous, so any group seeking power must play its politics well.” (Story adapted from New Telegraph)

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