The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has surprisingly distanced itself from the ongoing agitation for Oduduwa Republic by some Yoruba groups, emphasizing that its support is for restructuring of the country.
The factional group’s President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, who belongs to the late Frederick Fasheun faction of the group, made the announcement during his inauguration as the new leader of the factional group.
Oluwabunmi, son of Fasheun, the founder of OPC, also emerged as National Secretary at the national convention of the organization.
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Afolabi, while clarifying the group’s position on agitation for Oduduwa Republic, in his acceptance speech, said: ‘Let me quickly address the matter of those agitating for a separate Yoruba nation.
‘I was Deputy President to Dr. Fasehun for over eight years. Along with many people, we undertook several projects, programmes, and journeys together with Baba. In his lifetime, Dr. Frederick Fasehun never spoke to us about Yoruba independence. Anyone who tells you, Baba, ever said so is a liar.
‘What Dr. Fasehun was concerned about was for Nigeria to hold the sovereign national conference (SNC). Baba preached the gospel of restructuring in which the states or regions will enjoy devolution of power and resource control. That is where OPC stands. He also urged members to operate within the confines of the law in their zeal to tackle insecurity.’
It however remains to be seen if the other factional group is going to respond to this new development.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
