Frederick Fasheun-led faction of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has appealed to the Federal Government to discontinue the trial of and persecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly calked Igboho, saying their right to self-determination was guaranteed by international conventions that Nigeria was privy to.
Frederick Fasheun-led faction of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has appealed to the Federal Government to discontinue the trial of and persecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly calked Igboho, saying their right to self-determination was guaranteed by international conventions that Nigeria was privy to.
President of the group, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, made this appeal on Tuesday in Lagos shortly after his induction as its national president, saying failure on the part of the Federal Government to restructure the country was what was fuelling agitation for self-determination.
Otunba Afolabi, while urging the Federal Government to start building a United nation through justice and equity to all the segments and nationalities, noted that the calls to break up Nigeria would not stop until all the nationality groups had a sense of belonging.
“This country’s independence was based on true federalism. Nigeria must return to that original master plan. OPC supports restructuring,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, wife of the Founder of the group, Deaconess Iyabode Fasehun, and leader of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Wale Oshun, called on OPC members to be upright and committed to the ideals of the late leader, which they said was to promote peace, unity and justice in the country.
Oshun, who chaired the occasion held in Okota area of the state, said Fasehun left behind a worthy legacy, pointing out that there was the need to remind people of the objectives of the founder, the late Fasehun.
According to him, Fasheun established OPC to protect the interest of Yoruba people in Nigeria and diaspora and fight for the unity of the country.
“There is a greater need for these objectives now because our being Yoruba is being threatened, our concern interests are threatened,” he said.
He, therefore, urged OPC members to forge unity with other self-determination groups so that they can work for a common interest.
Oshun charged members of the group to be committed to choosing leaders to lead the country, saying they should not restrict themselves to just being engaged as security consultants.
Deaconess Fasehun, in her remark, urged those elected into positions of authority to lead the group to run affairs of OPC for humanity and not for selfish interest, saying they should see their election as service to humanity.
She said her husband, who founded the group, stood for justice, peace and unity, urging the new executives to follow the foundation the founder laid, just as she appealed to members of the group to be united and speak with one voice.
“Whatever it takes, speak as one, don’t be partisan, say the truth, live for the truth because being good makes you enviable. Unite all fronts and forge ahead, the task ahead is enormous.
“Whatever you do, let the fear of God guide you. You should remember Nigerians are watching you, do the right thing,” she counselled.
