The political foray of President Goodluck
Jonathan into the South-West geopolitical
zone of the country has been described
as an exercise in futility. This came from
Chief Abiodun Oyebode, an All
Progressives Congress (APC) South-West
zonal leader. He spoke with George
Okojie.
How do you see the renewed efforts of
President Jonathan in the past few weeks
to gain victory in the South-West?
I have watched his activities, even if the
president relocates to the South-West
zone in his eleventh hour desperation to
remain in power, he cannot win 25
percent votes in the region in the forth
coming polls.
What he is aiming at in the South-West is
very impossible. He is wasting our
national resources and time. The South-
West zone has the strongest inclination to
our presidential candidate, General
Muhammadu Buhari than the three other
geopolitical zones in the southern part of
the country.
Many South-West first class traditional
rulers have endorsed the president for a
second term. What does this suggest?
Quite honestly, the Yorubas are positively
opinionated people that have moral values
and integrity. They will not vote for
President Goodluck Jonathan because a
traditional ruler advised them in that
direction. It is unfortunate that few
respected Yoruba monarchs may have
compromised their stand but I am not so
convinced about that. I know my rulers,
majority of them are very credible leaders.
So they cannot fall to this last minute
antics of the President Jonathan.
President Jonathan disappointed
everybody in the South-West. Any Oba,
who is saying he is endorsing him, is self
serving and had damaged his reputation.
We are proud of the Awujale and
paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru
Kayode Adetona- Ogbagba who told him
to his face, ‘I can’t ask my people to vote
for you.’ That is a respected monarch. We
are proud of him.
But Afenifere, the Yoruba apex socio-
cultural umbrella group has also pitched
its tent with President Jonathan?
Though anybody has the right to support
whichever party they want, but I can tell
you it is very few of them in Afenifere that
are pushing for Jonathan. They are not
talking for the others. Despite the
financial settlements and dollar rain in the
south-west, many members of that group
are very honest people with integrity.
Those doing otherwise are self-serving. It
is unfortunate that Afenifere, which is
occupying exalted position in the history
of Nigeria is being rubbished. Afenifere
has been in the forefront in the fight for
the welfare of the people but because of
animosity for one man they are
misleading the group. Look at what the
youths in the south-west are saying-they
are disappointed with the president.
Majority are with Buhari. They are all
yearning for positive change. You can
now understand that the frantic efforts
by Jonathan and PDP to woo the people
of the region will be in vain. By and large
it is very clear that the PDP is jittery and
are afraid of losing the South-West.

As if only yorubas stay in the sw.You are forgetting the region is the most cosmopolitan region in the country

chukwudi44:
As if only yorubas stay in the sw.You are forgetting the region is the most cosmopolitan region in the country

Just shut your dirty hate filled mouth. Old ugly man. Fool, na ibo and Ijaw dey SW? Old Osu goat.
You will be chase back to your village soon, we know you are afraid to go back because you are OSu, SW is your refuge.