OPINION: ‘Yoruba ‘ll Not Vote For Jonathan’

Afenifere Deputy Leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi yesterday said that the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by a section of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, was a ruse, adding that Yoruba will not vote for an incompetent leader.
The Second Republic senator lamented that his colleagues, including Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, spearheaded the endorsement without sparing a thought for the future.
He said the foremost Awoists, who have called on the Southwest to support the President, have mocked their antecedent and rich history of struggle for a better Nigeria, adding that they are not leaving behind worthy legacies.
Fasanmi spoke with our correspondent on phone on the endorsement, the general elections and issues that will shape the contest. He said a glorious dawn was imminent, urging Nigerians to gird their loins.
Fasanmi, who was the President of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association in the 1960s, lamented that his colleagues and disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, have derailed by supporting an inept government.
He said: “The purported endorsement is unfortunate, illogical, embarrassing, and misleading. It is confusing. It is artificial. It is not profound. Thy are my colleagues in the days of the Action Group Youth Association. What legacy do we want to hand over to the next generation? When you are endorsing an incompetent person, a government of rot, a government that has failed, it is worrisome. I am dejected.
“This is the lent season. I am praying for my colleagues, my party and Nigeria. My prayer is that Gen. Buhari will win. Our leader, Awolowo, predicted that the progressives will come together. This is the time. Buhari is a disciplined Person. He is incorruptible. He is fit to rule this country. he is a better person.”
Fasanmi challenged the Afenifere chieftains to list the achievements of President Jonathan in the Southwest that could warrant their endorsement of his candidature.
He said the Federal Government has marginalised the region in the distribution of appointments and amenities, wondering why the Afenifere chieftains are rooting for his second term.
Fasanmi described the promise by the President to implement the National Conference Report as a fallacy, stressing that the report will be considered by the National Assembly before any action can be taken.
He added: “They said that they are supporting Jonathan because he has promised to implement the National Conference report. Jonathan cannot implement it. It must go to the National Assembly. When Gen. Buhari wins, APC legislators in the National Assembly will do the job.
“Under Gen. Buhari, Nigeria will witness that glorious dawn predicted by the late chief Awolowo. There will be a dawn of the new era. They are attacking Buhari. But, Buhari is a disciplined and incorruptible person. Buhari is not a soldier again. He is now a democrat. He has demonstrated it. On three occasions, he lost the presidential elections and he went to court. He is a different person. Awo will never support ineptitude like my colleague are doing. But, Yoruba will not heed their call to support Jonathan.”
Fasanmi warned against further postponement of the general elections, saying that it could lead to a crisis of monumental proportion.
He added: “The people are ready for the elections. But, they are dragging their feet. They are postponing the doomsday. This government has failed. It cannot restore insecurity. It cannot curb corruption. It cannot provide employment. And they want a second term. It is very unfortunate.”
THE NATION