Fasehun Urges OPC Members To Defend Yoruba Interests

Frederick Fasehun
Frederick Fasehun

Founder of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun has urged the group to continue defending the interests of the Yoruba race as well as those described as “strangers” living in Yorubaland.

He rejected what he called attempts to lump OPC with any group that “turns arms against defenseless citizens,” saying it would continue to protest against such attempts.

Speaking at the OPC’s maiden award and chieftaincy-conferring ceremony, at Okota, Lagos at the weekend, Fasheun called on members to abide by the ideals which the group represented.

Fasheun also expressed satisfaction on how OPC had fared since it was formed in 1994, saying it had been able to push Yoruba interest both at home and in the Diaspora, an achievement he said, none of the OPC’s four foundation members ever thought would be attained fast.

“But most importantly, OPC has given the Yoruba race a new image, as a people of courage, a people who must be considered in the scheme of things anywhere they live in the world,” Fasheun said.

“If you call us a socio-political group, yes we are. If you refer to us as a militant group, you will not be far from the truth. But nobody can dismiss us as a band of nonentity or destroyers.

“That is why we will protest any attempt to lump OPC together with any group that for any reason whatsoever turns its arms against defenseless civilians and murders them at will.This has never been OPC’s modus operandi.”

According to Fasheun, the gathering represented part of the rebranding going on in the group. He therefore called on members to continue to advance and represent the ideals of the OPC.

Some members of the group were honoured for outstanding contribution to the society at the event.