The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has dissociated itself from recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan in the current presidential race by another Yoruba political cum cultural group, Afenifere.
YCE, which is also known as’ Igbimo Agba Yoruba’, made the declaration after its national executive committee met at its office in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Nigeria’s national unity and solidarity.
The meeting, presided over by Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), described YCE as apolitical, saying Afenifere is a political party.
YCE spokesman, Professor Bayo Olateju, read out the communique issued after the meeting thus “YCE is not a party to any purported endorsement given by any group or groups to a presidential candidate and so dissociates itself from such action as YCE did not, at any time, sit with any group of people to consider and come to such decision.
“Nigerian presidency should go to the best candidate who has the vision and mission of taking Nigeria and Nigerians from poverty to wealth; from insecurity of lives and property to living secured, prosperous and in abundance; regardless of party affiliation, religious, or tribe.”
YCE called on all political parties to caution and control their supporters from making provocative and inflammatory public statements, which could set the nation ablaze or railroad the nation into another civil war.
It expressed serious concern and strongly condemned the spate of violence on some political party candidates and party offices across the country and urged all parties to remind all their members of the recently signed Abuja peace accord.
The Yoruba elders are of the view that parties should concentrate their campaigns on issues, such as economy, security, stable electric power, industrialisation, employment, education for all, sustainance of democracy, good health, care of the aged and other salient issues.
On call for postponement of election, the council said as far as it is concerned, the electoral body, which is saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election had not suggested any postponement and therefore, the February dates still remain sacrosanct.
YCE also advised the recently transferred Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu not to fan any ember of discord in his new place, Lagos but to do his work as a true professional police officer, who discharges his duties without fear or favour.

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has dissociated itself from recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan in the current presidential race by another Yoruba political cum cultural group, Afenifere.
YCE, which is also known as’ Igbimo Agba Yoruba’, made the declaration after its national executive committee met at its office in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Nigeria’s national unity and solidarity.
The meeting, presided over by Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), described YCE as apolitical, saying Afenifere is a political party.
YCE spokesman, Professor Bayo Olateju, read out the communique issued after the meeting thus “YCE is not a party to any purported endorsement given by any group or groups to a presidential candidate and so dissociates itself from such action as YCE did not, at any time, sit with any group of people to consider and come to such decision.
“Nigerian presidency should go to the best candidate who has the vision and mission of taking Nigeria and Nigerians from poverty to wealth; from insecurity of lives and property to living secured, prosperous and in abundance; regardless of party affiliation, religious, or tribe.”
YCE called on all political parties to caution and control their supporters from making provocative and inflammatory public statements, which could set the nation ablaze or railroad the nation into another civil war.
It expressed serious concern and strongly condemned the spate of violence on some political party candidates and party offices across the country and urged all parties to remind all their members of the recently signed Abuja peace accord.
The Yoruba elders are of the view that parties should concentrate their campaigns on issues, such as economy, security, stable electric power, industrialisation, employment, education for all, sustainance of democracy, good health, care of the aged and other salient issues.
On call for postponement of election, the council said as far as it is concerned, the electoral body, which is saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election had not suggested any postponement and therefore, the February dates still remain sacrosanct.
YCE also advised the recently transferred Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu not to fan any ember of discord in his new place, Lagos but to do his work as a true professional police officer, who discharges his duties without fear or favour.