The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has said that it is an apolitical group following a viral video in which its members were chanting a song critical of APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Leader of the group Abiola Owoaje said at a press conference in Lagos on Monday that they do not have any political affiliation or support any candidate.
The group’s statement came after its founder Prof Wole Soyinka called the video “distasteful”.
In the video, members of the group during a procession chant a song about Tinubu whose “hands and feet are shaking, yet he is saying ‘it is my turn.’”
The confraternity announced a press conference on Monday to unveil the 70th-anniversary logo of the Seadogs.
However, Mr Owoaje told journalists that they have shelved their original programme to “deal with issues that are fast rising within the public space.”
“Quite contrary to the manner in which certain aspects of the video are being portrayed, no aspect of this procession or the event itself was political. Rather it was a typical climax of our annual general meeting,” he said.
“At no time in the history of this organisation has this event or indeed any of our events has any slanted political leanings. Let it be known that the national association of seadogs pyrates confraternity does not mock or discriminate against the physical condition of any person.
“It is an unfair characterisation and offends everything that we stand for. Indeed, this could cause offence to even our own members that are also unfortunately afflicted that this would never be condoned.
“We have members who belong to different political parties and are absolutely free to support any candidate of their choice. It is most unfortunate that political capital is being made of this, with interpretations that are totally at variance with the philosophy of the Pyrates Confraternity. Unequivocally, we condemn this in very strong terms.”
