The Christian Youths Leadership and DevelopmentInitiatives (CYLDI) on Wednesday distance itself from purported endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate, Dr. Yunus Akinrinde in Oyo Central Senatorial District.
They said the claim by the APC candidate that CYLDI has endorsed his candidature and that a major stakeholder in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigned for him at the meeting of the organization was misleading.
A statement jointly signed by CYLDI Convener/National Coordinator, Oladipupo Omobosola and BoT General Secretary, Adedayo Adeleke maintained that the group is a Non-Governmental Organization whose interest lies particularly on developing and fostering right leadership principles and values among Christian folds, particularly the Youths.
The statement added that the organization is not partisan and does not endorse any candidate, but rather gives access to all aspiring leaders across parties, regardless of political affiliation and religious beliefs.
“The appearance of Yunus Akintunde at the last meeting of our organization despite his pronounced religious alienation, his further claim that one of the Oyo PDP stakeholders at the meeting endorsed and assured him of support was not only shocking but puts the organization at dismay concerning his ambition.
“We want the general public to note the following as being the realities of our organization’s relationship with Yunus Akintunde as regards his ambition.
“He showed interest to meet with the organization for familiarisation and it was granted by the leadership. That further proves that we are neither partisan nor religious in our relationship with the public.
“He was present at the August edition of the organization’s monthly meetings
for familiarization and as a speaker; so he was so appreciated for his efforts,
both as a speaker at the meeting and interest to represent his community in
governance, he neither the organization/its agent nor any individual at the meeting promised,
campaigned, endorsed or gave any form of allegiance to his candidature as claimed.
“The membership of the organization is opened to all Christians regardless of political affiliation while the organization makes its platform accessible to all leaders to engage with the community on their ambitions irrespective of religious beliefs.”
