A humanitarian group, Ajafeto Youth Forum of Nigeria, AYFN, has distanced itself from a report that it collected money from some politicians during its launching programme on Saturday, 16th of july 2022.
In a statement signed by Public Relations Officer of AYFN, Raji Ridwan, on Tuesday, the Forum said though there were promises made by some individuals during the programme but none is yet fulfilled till date.
In his words, “on Saturday, 16th of July 2022, The AJAFETO YOUTH FORUM OF NIGERIA held her launching at the Akinyele LG Award Hall, Moniya Ibadan. The launching was attended by dignitaries by politicians from different political parties, public and private individuals from different governmental and non-governmental Organizations.
“Some individuals attached to a certain politician in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency used the opportunity to promise the forum a sum of #50,000 openly. They immediately went on the social space to make a public statement that the candidate supported the empowerment programme of the forum with the said amount in cash.
“They further stated that the candidate paid the said sum at the launching when at the time of this press release a dime had not been paid.
“All efforts to get across to the said Federal rep candidate to clear this situation have proved futile as his allies have blocked all channels reach him,” Ridwan said.
The President of AYFN, Okesanmi Taiwo said this was not the first time the Forum would be misinterpretated.
“We recall that in 2020, when the forum supposedly held its National Youth Day Programme in November, Youth Leader of a political party in Akinyele requested for a partnership which was graciously given. He took the opportunity to defraud the Forum, deprived them of their benefits and took the glory as his own. All the realized fund was squandered by him and we decided to let go for peace to reign.
“Almost 2 years after the above event, another party stalwart and some other party bigwigs who were part of the last scandal took it upon themselves to propagate such falsehood just for the sake of their pockets and popularity. After series of warnings for them to retract their falsehood, they have remained adamant and hence the basis of our outcry.
“We feel we should address this before it becomes a menace,” Okesanmi said.
He afterwards reinforced that the Ajafeto Youth Forum of Nigeria, AYFN is a non-partisan, all inclusive and honest forum that will never be involved in activities created to sway the public in any untruthful paths.
“We enjoin the public to steer clear of fraudulent individuals as they are not good to have dealings with.”
