The Oodua People's Congress (OPC) today Thursday marked its 30th anniversary, asking the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay attention to the plight of the Nigerian masses and give them the dividends of democracy.
OPC, also, asked the government to allow the group to contribute to the country’s energy security by restoring the pipeline protection contract the government of President Goodluck Jonathan awarded to the group but which Muhammadu Buhari revoked.
“Restoring our petroleum security contract will tackle unemployment in the South-West, Kogi, Kwara and Edo states and end pipeline vandalism in this axis. We have done it before, we can do it again,” said OPC President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi.
In a colourful ceremony at the Ejigbo Mini Stadium in Lagos, OPC rolled out the drums in a carnival atmosphere that featured cultural displays by members from all the six South-West states, as well as from Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Abuja.
Guests at the occasion were: Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) who doubles as Chairman of OPC Board of Trustees, Hon. Wale Oshun, host Chairman of the Ejigbo Local Government, Mr. Monsuru Bello, and Member of the OPC Board of Trustees, Comrade Jubril Ogundimu.
They were all recipients of the OODUA DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD, along with the wife of the OPC Founder, Deaconess Iyabo Fasehun, and the Late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, who received a posthumous award.
Speaking at the occasion, ARG Chairman, Wale Oshun, called for a constitutional review that would entrench true Federalism in the country.
He said: “Were Dr. Fasehun and Beko Ransome-Kuti alive today, they would be calling attention as they did 30 years ago to the problems troubling our country. Nigerians comprise of different nationalities and we are diverse. Those who forced the 1999 Constitution on us gave us a unitary Constitution that cannot work for all of us. It is a Federal Constitution that will work for us. We need now to go back and rework our Constitution to allow the different nationalities in Nigeria find creative expression and development.”
He, also, called for government to give greater recognition to OPC because the group fought for the restoration of democracy since its creation in 1994 to the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
Highlighting the significance of the anniversary, the group’s President, Afolabi said: “The occasion gives OPC members a unique opportunity to celebrate all our heroes past, especially the legendary Dr. Frederick Isiotan Fasehun, and all OPC leaders and members who have gone to the Great Beyond. Remembering their legacy says that their labour has not been in vain.”
Afolabi described OPC as a child of necessity.
Going down memory lane, he narrated: “After the June 12, 1993 election and most of 1994, darkness and hopelessness dominated Nigeria. The Military junta, first under General Ibrahim Babangida, followed by General Sani Abacha, harassed and terrorised the people like a hawk toying with chickens. We of the Yoruba race especially felt the pain of the insult that the Military dealt us collectively by cancelling and annulling the June 12 mandate of Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
“Dr. Fasehun took the bull by the horn and founded the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Mushin area of Lagos. OPC proved that Yoruba people were not cowards as many thought. They would not do plenty of shakara when it comes to talking, and then run away at the point of actually fighting for their human rights and democratic rights. OPC mobilised the bravest and the best of the Yoruba race to fight for the restoration of the June 12 mandate of MKO Abiola.”
Lamenting that the group’s sacrifice had so far gone unrewarded and unrecognised, the OPC President said that, although the last 25 years of civilian rule had blessed Yoruba land with two sons as Nigerian President, the entire South-West with over 32 elected governors and 137 local government areas of the South-West with over 1,000 council chairmen, none had deemed it fit to give attention to the group.
He said: “OPC has received virtually zero-benefits in this democracy for which it sacrificed so much to produce. This makes OPC look like the head used to crack the coconut but is denied the benefit of tasting the fruit of its labour and the sacrifice. This injustice must be corrected. All we are saying: Let OPC and its members benefit from the democracy that OPC fought and died for!”
However, he warned that the current generation of politicians were running a selfish and self-serving civilian rule, with no benefit to Nigerians.
Afolabi said: “Fuel is expensive. Hospitals have become expensive and no-go area to the majority of Nigerians. We have four refineries and evil people have refused to let them work because of selfish reasons. Schools have become expensive and education is no longer for the poor commoners. Electricity has become a luxury. Nigerians hear of millions, billions and trillions being budgeted with little or nothing to show for the budget.
“Government must listen to the NLC and the #EndBadGovernance agitators. Let the poor breathe. Give Nigerians affordable electricity, education, fuel, gas and food.”
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