Presidency: ‘Emi Lokan – Its My Turn’ Personal Agreement Between Tinubu, Buhari, Says Pa. Adebanjo

The chairman of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has claimed that Bola Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari reached an understanding about the “Emi lokan” claim made by Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate.

Following his June 2022 address in Abeokuta, Ogun State where he pushed for the APC presidential ticket, Tinubu popularized the Yoruba expression “Emi lokan,” which means “it is my turn.”

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However, Adebanjo claimed in a speech to Labour Party supporters in Lagos during the party’s final presidential campaign that the expression did not refer to the Yoruba people rather it was an agreement that Tinubu will succeed Buhari after he leaves office.

“The one who said ‘it is my turn’ is his agreement with Buhari,” the 94-year-old elder statesman remarked.

He continued, “Emilokan didn’t say it is the turn of the Yoruba. Emilokan’s agreement with Buhari was that when Buhari leaves office, he will take over. (But) were you there when he said that?” he asked the crowd, who responded saying, “No.”

Adebanjo, again reiterated that if the LP candidate does not win the election, “forget about Nigeria.”

He said, “I said before that if Obi does not come in as the president, forget Nigeria. The northern elders now say I want to impose Obi on them. No! They want to impose a northerner on us, and we said no.”

Adebanjo, who is of Yoruba descent, joins former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the second senior statesman to criticize the phrase.

Last week, the elder statesman outlined why Obi ought to be elected president in 2023.

If the LP candidate loses, according to Adebanjo, there won’t be another chance for a non-Christian or non-northerner to be president. Adebanjo has been a steadfast supporter of Obi.

At the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum in Abuja, Adebanjo expressed his opinion by stating, “They are making all sorts of devices to ensure that power remains in a particular part of the country. They don’t even support the candidate from their own party because of this.

“We will give it what it takes. It is either bend or break. If Obi does not win, forget a country called Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Objectv Media had reported that on Saturday in Lagos, an attack on LP presidential candidate supporters left no fewer than four people hurt.

Investigations into the attack were begun, according to Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer for the Lagos State Police.

Obi fiercely denounced the assault on his supporters as well.