Olu Falae, Former Secretary to the Nigeria Government, kept himself away from Afenifere’s endorsement of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Falae’s stance on the matter is coming a day after Ayo Adebanjo announced the pan-Yoruba group’s support of Obi.
Adebanjo explained that Afenifere was supporting Obi for reasons of equity and inclusiveness.
He said the other geopolitical zones had produced leaders of the country, saying it was only fair that the next president should emerge from the South-east.
“We cannot continue to expect that the Igbo people remain in Nigeria while we simultaneously continue to marginalize and exclude them from the power dynamic brutally,” Adebanjo stated.
Falae disagreed with the endorsement. He stated that it was still too early to pick a candidate without a proper assessment being done.
In a statement delivered on Tuesday, Signed by his Assistant, Raji Moshood, Falae said it was too early to endorse any candidate without going through the programmes which he had for the masses.
“The elder statesman stated that he has to consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record, before endorsing a candidate,” the statement said.
“Falae admitted that the South East did not get the opportunity of being Nigeria’s President, stressing that it’s not an automatic slot that can be filled without other important considerations.
“As a responsible leader, Chief Falae will consider all important parameters, including capacity, experience and proven track record 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.”
Falae agreed that although the Southeast region did not get the opportunity of being Nigeria’s president, it was their responsibility to persuade other Nigerians that they had something better to offer than candidates from the 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,” the statement
