Osun 2014: Fasoranti, Falae, Afenifere leaders endorse Akinwusi

Leaders of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, have endorsed the candidature of former Osun State Head of Service, Olusegun Akinwusi, as the Social Democratic Party flag-bearer in the August 9, 2014 Osun State governorship election.
Those who gave their backing to Akinwusi’s nomination as the SDP candidate were the Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti; the party’s National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae; and the party’s state leader, Chief Oladipo Olaitan.
The former HOS had emerged as the SDP governorship candidate after winning the party’s primary election conducted in Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday.
Reacting to Akinwusi’s victory, Falae, who led him and the state party Chairman, Ademola Isola, with his executives to the Afenifere leader in his hometown, Akure, Ondo State, at the weekend, stated that the former HOS possessed the qualities to take Osun State to a greater height.
Falae said: “I have heard about him.
“He is equal to the task and he will pursue an agenda for a better Osun State and Nigeria.
“Awolowo’s ideal was not about going around with brooms but it is a philosophy and that is why Yoruba people are far ahead in the country.”
Falae explained that the SDP is an offshoot of the Action Group, the Unity Party of Nigeria, the SDP of Third Republic and the Alliance for Democracy.
He added: “Yoruba people are back again in SDP because we need to serve our people.
“Awolowo believed in service and was not carrying money everywhere as we are experiencing it now.
“SDP is a third force that will lead Nigeria better and out of trouble water.”
Pa Fasoranti explained that he joined AG since 1951 and has remained committed to Awolowo’s philosophy till now “and I have no regret about it”.
The octogenarian prayed for Akinwusi’s success and advised him to remain committed to his programmes and the manifestoes of his party and serve the people of Osun State diligently.
Earlier, Olaitan, a chieftain of Afenifere and a former member of the National Assembly, noted that Akinwusi is a technocrat who served the state for 35 years as a civil servant without any blemish.
He called on all Osun State indigenes to vote for the ex-HOS in the upcoming polls, saying: “With Akinwusi, Osun will be freed from the shackles of poverty ravaging the state and delivered from the warlords presently occupying the state.
“I have observed that all our leaders in Afenifere are enjoying peace.
“This is not about money but about satisfaction and service to humanity.
“These are the kind of leaders we want.”
In his remarks, the SDP candidate thanked Afenifere leaders and
informed them that he would not let them down.
Akinwusi said: “You have brought us forth and I shared your views and aspirations for a better Yoruba nation and Nigeria.
“I will do my best to deliver quality services to Osun people.”
Others in Falae’s entourage included the Ondo State SPD Chairman and top chieftains of the party in the state.