As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday warned the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi against endorsing aspirants for political positions in the country.

“Don’t direct Yoruba people to support any aspirant,” Mr Obasanjo told Mr Adeyeye during an event held at the palace of the Ooni in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The event was held to honour the director-general of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nteranya Sanginga, and his wife, Charlotte, with the chieftaincy title of Aare and Yeye Aare Afurugbin-Ola.

According to the former president, the warning was pertinent as the Yorubas all do not belong to a political party.

“We don’t all go in the same direction, which is part of our strength in Yorubaland,” he said.

Mr Obasanjo who admitted that political office seekers approach traditional rulers during election campaigns, advised the Ooni to be wary of such people, and should rather pray for them than endorse them.

“All the sons and daughters of Yorubaland, no matter where they are or their standpoint, will come to meet you. This is expected because you are the father of all,” Mr Obasanjo said.

He warned, “Anyone who approaches you and says that he wants to be president or governor, just pray for such a person and let him.”

The former president’s warning comes as groups and political office holders have drummed support for Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is rumoured to be eyeing the presidential seat in 2023.