The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has demanded a public apology from the leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), and the All Progressive Congress, (APC), over the derogatory comments on Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi as his preferred candidate.
National President of the Forum, Elliott Afiyo stated this on Wednesday after consulting with the former President Obasanjo at his hilltop house in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
Afiyo noted that the former President is a voice that cannot be ruled out or ridiculed hence the need for the party leaders to apologize or face the drastic action to be taken by the forum.
“The Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has been a mentor, leader and father. I’m here because of what he released on New Year’s Day to know why he endorsed the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party and if he gives us convincing reason then we will table it up before the Committee.
“But I must say the reaction of the spokesmen of Tinubu/Shettima and Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization is uncalled for and unprofessional and based on what we have seen so far, we have to call Tinubu, Atiku and their Campaigns DGs to apologize to the Former President because he is a leader, he is a voice we cannot rule him out or ridicule him.
“They should apologize to him publicly if not we would take action against these parties because the whole of PDP and APC combined together cannot meet up with Baba.
“So, we should give him that respect because it is a duty for him to guide us this coming 2023 election as this election would determine whether we progress in the Country or retrogress.
“What amazed me is that Baba said he wants to support Obi and he gave his reasons and so if you do not agree with him, support your own Candidate, you do not need to abuse Baba” he stressed.
Afiyo while speaking said that the NYLF is still consulting to know the Candidate to support in the Presidential election and would have to meet to harmonize the different stand of its Patrons, to decide where the Forum stands, and this will be made public next week.
“I cannot speak for the Forum; our Patrons are divided so we have to follow them one after the other to get their views and they have given us a go ahead that anyone we support they would shed their difference and join us.
“This is part of the consultation, I have listened to Baba, we have spent over three hours and he has given me his reasons and there are some I cannot disclose to the public, I am also going to also meet people from the APC and PDP even the NNPP let them give us their reasons as to why we should support them, we would then sieve it and do the final endorsement next week.
“They should apologize to him publicly if not we would take action against these parties because the whole of PDP and APC combined together cannot meet up with Baba.
“So, we should give him that respect because it is a duty for him to guide us this coming 2023 election as this election would determine whether we progress in the Country or retrogress.
“What amazed me is that Baba said he wants to support Obi and he gave his reasons and so if you do not agree with him, support your own Candidate, you do not need to abuse Baba” he stressed.
Afiyo while speaking said that the NYLF is still consulting to know the Candidate to support in the Presidential election and would have to meet to harmonize the different stand of its Patrons, to decide where the Forum stands, and this will be made public next week.
“I cannot speak for the Forum, our Patrons are divided so we have to follow them one after the other to get their views and they have given us a go ahead that anyone we support they would shed their difference and join us.
“This is part of the consultation, I have listened to Baba, we have spent over three hours and he has given me his reasons and there are some I cannot disclose to the public, I am also going to also meet people from the APC and PDP even the NNPP let them give us their reasons as to why we should support them, we would then sieve it and do the final endorsement next week.
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