Leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, has said that he’ll be supporting Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), ahead of the 2023 elections.

Mr Adebanjo made the comment Tuesday while speaking on an online radio programme, Yoruba Gbode, saying Mr Obi could “rule independently” and that he has lost confidence in the other two presidential candidates; Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“It is only Peter Obi that can rule independently without the influence of these criminals in the government. Tinubu will only give continuity to Buhari’s incompetence,” Mr Afenifere said.

“We know Peter Obi very well, that’s why we endorsed him. He will not disappoint Nigerians, let’s put tribal differences apart and vote the right leader in,” he added.

Mr Adebanjo’s comments follow Mr Tinubu’s announcing former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2023 presidential poll.

On Sunday, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation said a combination of  Muslim/Christian ticket “should have been considered.”

“Considering the fact that Nigeria is made up of Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists and Atheists, the ideal thing would be to have occupants of the highest offices in the land not belonging to the same faith just as it was considered improper to have occupants of these offices belonging to the same tribe,” the body said in a statement. 

Mr Tinubu had said that Mr Shettima was selected as his running mate due to his competence, and approach to governance devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments.

The decision by the ruling APC makes it the first time since 1993 when a major party ticket would have Muslims as both its presidential candidate and running mate.

While the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had raised concerns that Mr Tinubu could plunge the country into crisis with his decision, APC stakeholders in Borno have praised Mr Tinubu’s choice.