Tinubu 2023: Muslin group, MURIC, says Yoruba are myopic, unpatriotic
An Islamic group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described as “myopic and unpatriotic’” the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, over what it said is the lack of its support for the 2023 presidential ambition of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen Bola Tinubu.
MURIC which made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director General, Prof Ishaq Akintola stressed that Afenifere’s refusal to support Tinubu was a slap on the Yoruba race.
MURIC DG said that considering Tinubu’s active role in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, it was surprised that a Yoruba socio-cultural group which was supposed to be a rallying point for all Yorubas should come out in the open to denounce one of its own.
The Muslim group added that Tinubu deserves to reap from the gains of democracy, having sacrificed for its realisation and as such, should be supported, especially by the Yoruba group.
It said that the stance of Afenifere was merely because of the political differences between its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and the APC chieftain.
According to MURIC, Afenifere “has one or two lessons to learn from the Igbos,” who have supported their own.
“Unlike Afenifere’s cold attitude towards the only Yoruba man who has shown interest in the presidency (at least publicly).
“The Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ohaneze, has pledged to support two Igbo men (Anyim Pius Anyim and Dave Umahi), who have expressed interest in the presidency with 10 billion naira.
“We call on Afenifere to sharpen its political instinct. An adage says one good turn deserves another.
“The Yoruba socio-cultural group should neither reject its best candidate nor remain neutral at a time others are embracing their own,” MURIC said.
