The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to a faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, at its Lagos office, alongside the party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa.
The Afenifere faction, under the leadership of the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, backed Obi in the 2023 poll, where he came third in the presidential race.
According to a statement on Tuesday, Obi and his team were received by the leaders of the factional group, including Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chief Supo Shonibare, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Afenifere General Secretary, Chief Sola Ebiseni, National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, Organising Secretary, Bashorun Segun Sanni, Deputy Secretary-General, Alade Rotimi-John, and other members.
In the statement jointly signed by Oba Olaitan and Faloye, the group said Obi expressed gratitude to Afenifere for supporting his 2023 presidential campaign and for its consistent advocacy for good governance.
He also briefed the leaders on current political developments, including his preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The statement noted that discussions during the meeting touched on Obi’s 2027 candidacy, the state of the nation, harassment of the political opposition, threats to democracy, the country’s economic crisis, and rising cost of governance.
“Obi restated his commitment to restructuring and to Afenifere’s cardinal points on education, health, rural integration, and full employment,” the statement added.
In response, Afenifere reaffirmed its egalitarian values of “abundance for all” and commended Obi for aligning with its vision.
 The group’s leader also voiced concern over the shrinking democratic space and urged Nigerians to keep alive the democratic spirit ignited by the nation’s forebears.
The meeting, which ended around 4 p.m., concluded with promises of further consultations and collaboration.
The Tuesday’s visit to Afenifere comes days after Obi visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Olubadan-designate and former Oyo State governor, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as part of his South-West shuttle to seek support for his 2027 presidential bid.
