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Tag: OPC

  • OPC faults renewal of pipeline contract

    OPC faults renewal of pipeline contract

    Oodua People’s Congress reformed OPC (R) and has kicked against the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to the ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

     The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to jettison the decision.

    The president of the group, Chief Dare Adesope made this known on Tuesday during a press briefing held at the OPC headquarters in Lagos.

    Adesope said the multi-billion naira contract awarded to Tompolo by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari ended in controversy and the group leader was unable to unravel the puzzle that surrounded pipeline vandalization.

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    He said: ” I stand to challenge this, the president must revisit the matter, We were initially soliciting community policing, and giving Tompolo a renewal is not in line with the renewed hope we had already painted in our minds because we believe every tribe should be in charge of their territory.

    ”We have a large number of foot soldiers to protect our land, including the pipelines within our territory, so we urge the president to revisit the awarded contract.”

    Adesope explained how his group members stood by the president during and after the election ‘ Some of us put our lives on the line to make sure President Bola Tinubu wins the presidential election and we also went against the recent agitators of Oodua Nation for trying to disrupt what the president is putting in shape. We did our best by telling people to remain calm even when the dollar rubbished our legal tender and when the high cost of living showed its ugly face to every citizen but we won’t look away while a non-Yoruba man gets a security job in Yoruba land where we are powerfully rooted as security agents.”

  • OPC decries monarchs’ killing

    OPC decries monarchs’ killing

    Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has described the killing of three Obas in Ekiti and Kwara states as the highest insult to the Yoruba race and an abomination that would only be cleansed with the blood of their murderers.

    President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, made this known in a statement in Lagos.

    It said the organisation was waiting to be invited and mobilised by the Southwest and Kwara State governors to join the manhunt for the monarchs’ killers.

    “Our Obas are next to God traditionally. To kill an Oba is unheard of, not to talk of killing three Obas within one week. It is the highest insult to us as Yoruba people, and these evildoers will not be allowed to go scot-free,” Afolabi said.

    He added: “The killers must face the consequences of their evil, dead or alive.

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    “If criminals can get away with killing three royal fathers like chickens, then who is safe?”

    Afolabi said Ekiti and Kwara governors as well as the Federal Government should mobilise patriotic groups such as OPC and Agbekoya to join the effort in making Yoruba land safe.

    “Today, we have a dangerous threat hanging over our heads and this is time for all hands to be on deck to make our land and people safe again,” the OPC President stressed.

    Supporting the call by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for the creation of state police, OPC said the formal security agencies were overwhelmed by the widespread and nationwide cases of killing, kidnapping and abduction perpetrated by non-state actors.

    “The Federal Government and the National Assembly must allow states to run their own police formations. We operate a Federal Constitution and we need to allow the Governor and House of Assembly to take control of security by themselves, instead of running to Abuja for permission to confront the slightest security challenges.

    “These criminals are exploiting the usually slow response time of an over-centralised, Abuja-controlled federal police to wreak havoc and escape justice. The time now calls for the evolving of a decentralised security system to meet our policing and security needs.”

    OPC said Southwest governors should purchase sophisticated arms for ‘Amotekun’.

    It commiserated with the government and people of Ekiti State on the killing of two traditional rulers: Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government and Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government.

    OPC also sent condolences to the people and government of Kwara State over the killing of Oba Segun Aremu-Cole in his palace at Koro town in Ekiti Local Government.

  • OPC urges Kwara government to intervene in tribal clash

    OPC urges Kwara government to intervene in tribal clash

    Oodua People’s Congress Reformed (OPC-R) has urged the Kwara State government to intervene in a tribal clash rocking the Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

    The Yoruba self-determination group expressed concerns about the shocking abuses against indigenous Yoruba people, including destruction of property, killings, disappearances, torture, and mass displacement of people.

     In a statement, the president of the group, Comrade Oludare Adesope called for urgent humanitarian access to the town and urged the state government to conduct thorough and independent investigations into the human rights abuses against the Yoruba people.

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     Adesope said: ”Between November 2023 and January 2024, we have received allegations indicating several instances of extrajudicial killings, including the killing of young children, enforced disappearance, torture, and inhuman treatment and the forced displacement of Yoruba people residing in Baruten Local Government “

     ”The Yoruba people were said to have been attacked by Ibaruba people, their property forcibly acquired or destroyed.  This is unjust, and as such need urgent attention.”

     He added: ”According to the story relayed by a man in a viral video, the Ibaruba people are claiming dominance; they want to oversee all the businesses within the local government thereby subjecting Yoruba people to follow their lead. The man in the viral video went further to explain that the Kwara State government alongside the local government chairman is aware of the ongoing crisis which led to the removal of Yoruba king and president in Okuta.

     ” OPC(R) will not fold its hands to allow any kind of destruction against Yoruba people, it is a registered fact that OPC always goes further to protect other tribes residing within their territory, so I am calling on the appropriate bodies to quickly intervene in this issue before it turn into tribal clash. We have a large number of Ibaruba people scattered on our(Yoruba) soil doing their business without any fear of attack. If we can allow them to stay in peace in our territory by treating them like brothers and sisters, we expect the same kind gesture from them and now that the reverse is the case, we won’t fold our arms and that is the reason for this call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRaman abdulRasaq, the Inspector General of Police and all the security agencies to quickly intervene in this matter before it escalates.”

  • OPC leader backs community policing

    OPC leader backs community policing

    President of the Oodua People’s Congress Reformed (OPC-R), Chief Dare Adesope has thrown his weight behind the creation of community policing as recently canvassed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

    Sanwo-Olu, recently, at a town hall meeting tagged, ‘Community policing: emphasizing, Building a safer Nigeria together,’ organized by the Ministry of Police Affairs at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, called for a yardstick that will serve as a guide for effective community policing within the state and the country at large.

    Adesope urged the Lagos governor to consider the local security operatives who are more familiar with their terrain and also know their neighbourhood like the back of their palm.

     “Community policing is not a new concept to us as a nation. It has, over the years, been at the center of conversations on the best strategy to adopt in order to effectively address the challenge of insecurity manifesting in rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism, among others,’’ he said.

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    Expatiating further, Adesope explained that community policing creates a partnership between law enforcement and residents. The more involved law enforcement is with the residents they are sworn to protect, the more residents can help law enforcement achieve their goals.

    He noted that the problems of armed robbery, kidnappings for ransom, ritual killings, herdsmen attacks, assassinations, terrorism, insurgency, internet fraud, and Ponzi schemes or investment swindling, among others, have created the greatest challenges to the Nigerian Police Force.

    Reacting to the controversial remarks of the President General of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, during a recent visit to Lagos, when he claimed that the Igbo developed Lagos to what it is, Adesope said: ‘’If Igbo decide to tell their children an untrue story about Yoruba territory then we should start telling our children too about the visitors that are claiming ownership, they claim we have sold our lands to them but that is not true because a certificate of occupancy only means one can occupy for a certain period which does not give one total ownership.’’

  • Caterer gets N20,000 bail for alleged OPC shirt theft

    A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, yesterday granted N20, 000 bail to a caterer, Raphael Kolawole, charged with the theft of an Oodua People’s Congress’ (OPC’s) shirt.

    Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere made the order following Kolawole’s plea of not guilty to a two-count charge of stealing and possession of stolen property.

    She said the sureties must be employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on June 5.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Modupe Olaluwoye had told the court that Kolawole, 26, of Ikorodu, Lagos, committed the offences at about 6:30am, on April 19, on the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

    She accused Kolawole of breaking into an apartment belonging to the complainant, Mr. Fatai Ayeni, and stealing his official OPC shirt.

    The defendant, Olaluwoye said, also attempted to rob passers-by, who were going to work that morning, of their phones while he was wearing the shirt.

    She added that it was another OPC member, Mr. Sikiru Adekunle, who saw the defendant and reported the case at the police station, following which the police arrested the defendant.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 287 and 329 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

  • OPC celebrates festival

    The Aare Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) said it has begun the annual Eledumare festival.

    The 21–day event is organised by through the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF).

    At a special prayer in Agege, Lagos yesterday, the Aare Onakankafo of Yorubaland, said Eledumare festival is significant because it is only God that has the power to fulfill all purposes in life.

    “God’s plan for the future of our group is unique. That is why we are able to sustain all the activities of the group without looking back. As a formidable organisation, we look forward to a great future, by staking our resources and time for the Yoruba race. For the past six years, we have devoted our time and material resources to celebrate Eledumare Festival and other festivals across the southwest. For a very long time now, we have been promoting our cultural identities without getting allocations or support from anybody. I know for sure, that we shall be rewarded and I have a feeling that the reward will come sooner than it is expected, “he said.

    OFF Director of Media Ambassador Muyiwa Oshinaike, said Eledumare Festival is meant to promote Yoruba cultural values and traditions.

  • OPC greets Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun

    The Oodua People’s Congress-Reformed (OPC-R) has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors-elect in Lagos and Ogun States, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun.

    A statement yesterday by its President, Comrade Dare Adesope, said the victories have justified the confidence the people of southwest repose in the ruling party.

    Adesope also attributed the party’s victory to the uncommon leadership of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to him, Tinubu has done Lagos and southwest good by fathering meaningful and smart governors, including ex-governor Babatunde Fashola and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who have made giant strides in office.

    The statement reads: “I congratulate the governors-elect of Lagos and Ogun States, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, for their victory at the polls. Once they are sworn into office, they should work harder than their predecessors.

    “They should not stampede the efforts of their predecessors by condemning some of their good policies and programmes, rather, they should upgrade unfinished projects and initiate their own meaningful projects too.

    “Going by recent events in the states, the governors-elect should know that nobody is above the party, therefore, they should respect party members irrespective of age or status because everyone is important in his own right.”

     

  • OPC urges Yoruba oba to unite

    Pan-Yoruba group, Odua People’s Congress-Reformed (OPC-R) yesterday urged monarchs in the south west geo-political zone to close their ranks and champion the cause of the people of the zone with dignity.

    The group also admonished Yoruba monarchs not to throw their weight behind unscrupulous politicians with divisive agenda to discredit the Yoruba race.

    In a statement issued in Lagos, the group’s President, Comrade Dare Adesope, called on south west monarchs and elders to foster unity and exhibit uprightness in the defence of Yoruba people.

    He also noted that monarchs deserve respect from everybody, including politicians, and as such, royal fathers should maintain their dignity.

    Adesope said: ‘’ Our royal fathers should from now on know their worth. If politicians follow a route to your palaces begging for your blessings and your support, let them follow the same route to show their appreciation, rather than you going to queue up at their offices.

    ‘’Though there is hierarchy within royal circle, but this is not the time to fight for supremacy. Rather, our royal fathers should stand for unity to maintain dignity.’’

    He added: ‘’We cannot be on the same page when addressing the issue of politics and that is the reason why we have different political platforms. But one thing is very clear. We all belong to the Yoruba race, the same brotherhood. I am, therefore, calling on all sons and daughters of Oduduwa to unite now, irrespective of their political differences, because we have to be united in order to conquer whoever raises his voice against the Yoruba race.’’

  • OPC to Dokubo, others: stay away from Southwest

    A pan-Yoruba group, the Oodua People’s Congress-Reformed (OPC-R), has warned ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo and those planning to foment trouble during Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections to stay away from the Southwest in their own interest.

    It also warned them to stop issuing inflammatory remarks and threats of attacks on the Yoruba.

    Dokubo was widely reported in a section of the media a few days ago to have threatened to deal with the Yoruba in a video posted on Youtube, if non-indigenes were attacked during the polls.

    In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Dare Adesope, the group said its men are prepared to protect Yoruba and their Igbo counterparts in Lagos State.

    He said: ” Asari Dokubo and others should mind their choice of words while addressing Yoruba people because it is very clear that the Yoruba are not enjoying the privilege we give to the Igbo and other tribes in their land.

    ”The presidential election is over and we are looking forward to the governorship poll. We have decided to stand up to the task and protect our states by ensuring that the election is violence-free. Any group planning to disrupt the poll should have a rethink because OPC(R) is prepared to resist such act with our last blood.

    ”Heavy presence of our members would be adequately felt in all the polling booths across the Southwest.”

    virtue of this , we are imploring all registered voters to come out and exercise their franchise without fear of attack from any quarters.

    ”And to all Igbo groups and persons threatening to attack Yorubas, I am sounding a strong warning that they should give it a second thought because we are very ready to defend our people. They should know that the gentility of a tiger is not  is not an act of cowardice.”

     

  • Election: OPC seeks massive turn out

    The Aare Gani Adams-led Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has enjoined Nigerians, particularly, all Yoruba sons and daughters to come out in large numbers, vote and defend their votes.

    A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, said though, the last minute postponement of the election is unfortunate, but it was a blessing in disguise, stressing that it is very important for the people to exercise their franchise.

    The group restated its belief in restructuring, adding that the best option for Nigeria is to restructure the country.

    Oguntimehin said: “Politicians are at it again, promising heaven on earth, but the Yorubas have their future in their hands. We would not be carried away by those unrealistic promises. We will throw our weight behind any candidate that is ready to restructure this country. We are where we are today because of our failed system and weak institution.

    “For a very long time in the history of our nation, we have embraced a wrong value and it is affecting us. Many companies are folding up by the day and the cost of running business in Nigeria is above the reach of ordinary Nigerians. For instance, the cost of postponing the election is enormous. The quality of our democratic process is nothing to write home about and there is reason for us to get it right with restructuring’’.

    He, however, advised the electoral umpire to brace up for tomorrow’s election.

    He said: “There should be no excuse, there should be no room for failure and INEC should not cave in to pressure over the elections.   It is just a matter of time, however, we must embrace peace, all in the interest of Nigeria and the Yoruba race in particular,’’