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Tag: OPC

  • OPC mayhem: Group condemns pressure on South west

    A coalition of youth groups under the banner of the Congress of South West Youths has condemned what it described as undue political pressures being placed on the South West zone by President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

    Reacting to the mayhem unleashed on the state on Monday by the Gani Adams led faction of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, in a press briefing at NIJ,  Ikeja Thursday, the youths condemned the presidents recent visits to the state which is a direct consequence of the OPC atrocities in the state on Monday.

    Addressing the press, Ahmed Shomoye, president of the group said   “recently  Mr. President suddenly became frequent flier to the zone dashing out tax payers’ money to all categories of people to seek electoral supports while he continues to promote violence using a faction of the OPC to perpetrate violent political agenda.

    “We want to warn strongly that the youths across the South West will rise up to defend our region, protect our people and stand firm against what we see as external aggression in view of the fact that any violence that strikes in Lagos State is capable of creating multiplier effect on other States across the South West zone.

    “Political history from the 3rd republic is still fresh in our memories and we will not allow the South West to become the center for erupting political violence considering the body language of President Goodluck Jonathan around violence instigations,” Shomoye said.

    He condemned the continued “polarization and partisanship of the Nigerian security formations. Whatever the gains are for the PDP now, we are more than convinced this is not healthy and also not in the best interest of our country. The security formations in their respective ranks should be allowed to operate as established by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is not the first time the ruling party will be unleashing mayhem on the opposition party, with the manipulation of the security apparatus of the nation and we hope it is stopped in the larger interest of Nigerians.”

    The group said it was  particularly disturbed by the fact that the same administration promising youth oriented programmes is spending so much to make thuggery and banditry lucrative to the youths. “We will not fold our arms and watch this happen. We will continue to embark on orientation and re-orientation of the Nigerian youths on the need to participate positively in the developmental process this country badly needs”.

    Shomoye called on youths across the South West to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses but vigilant to political development around them.

    “We enjoin our colleagues in the zone to protect and guard our nascent democracy by ensuring they come out enmasse to vote for candidates of their choice on election days and ensure their votes are counted; and to resist any move by whatever party to scuttle the ongoing process either by way of election postponement, removal of INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega or rejection of the use of Card Reader for the election as scheduled.”

    The group said it considers the move by the OPC and the PDP in the show of violence in Lagos on Monday as a dubious approach to instigate unnecessary crises. “Every of their steps were not only violent but also targeted at having law abiding Lagosians to retaliate and have same degenerate into anarchy.

    “The task of salvaging what is left of our beloved country, Nigeria and providing Nigerians with the kind of leadership they deserve are for us very important assignments that give no time to join issues with common criminals and bandits being sponsored to instigate violence.

    “We also want to call on youths across the country to be wary of the kind of tasks they are paid to carry out in the process of these elections. As far as we are concerned, we are better-of harnessing the strength in our numbers to vote-in credible people with programmes that can create a healthy system for youths to grow and take up key roles and responsibilities in the country,” Shomoye said.

    He implored youths to eschew violence and/or the urge to be violent and take out time to pick their PVCs which is indeed the power they have to vote for credible change.

  • Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Popular Yoruba actress and lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Funke Adesiyan, has been getting flaks for saying the march on Monday, by hoodlums under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was peaceful.

    According to organisers, the rally was to ask for the sack of Prof. Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Adesiyan, who plans on seeking re-election as a lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted in a BBM group chat, naijahottestgist.com that, contrary to the reported violence which took place during the march, no violence was recorded.

    “Good morning Parliamentarians, I was part of the walk by Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) led by Otunba Gani Adams,” she said, Tuesday.

    According to the actress, who is running for the Ibadan South-East Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the protest was not politically motivated and not sponsored by anybody. “We are only asking for an explanation on the allegation against Prof. Jega saying that under-age youths were registered to vote in the north. We say NO to postponement of elections because of shortage in PVC collection. We say NO to creation of 30, 000 illegal polling units in the North. We ask for equity in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. We are one great nation and we don’t need Prof. Jega to divide it for us,” she addressed the over two hundred members and supporters of the APC and PDP of the group, who cut across Nigeria and the Diaspora.

    “On this premise,” the thespian continued, “we call on Jega to go on his break due on the 24th of March, 2015 and allow another credible officer from INEC conduct this election. We broke nothing, touched no one, and maimed no one. It is the most peaceful rally I’ve witnessed in recent times. It was sponsored by no one. All of us that got involved did it voluntarily based on our passion for equity, justice and unity of Nigeria. It’s unfair that APC is trying to frame us. Nigerians know propaganda is APC’s style and we shall not lose focus on achieving our aim peacefully.”

    However, some fans of the actress and pro-APC members on the forum were quick to take her on, in what soon generated in a hot debate, counter accusations and resentment.

    “I have pictures of vandalized cars and stuffs by the OPC goons unleashed on Lagos by GEJ, Fasheun and Gani Adams. Guys please stop defending the indefensible,’ a Prof Chris Nwaokobia Jnr, responded.

    A member named KJV also berated Adesiyan for being part of Monday’s controversial protest.

    “The issue of the 30, 000 additional polling units has been put to rest by INEC,” KJV wrote. “Where are your facts that under-age youths were registered by INEC and if you do have them, is Ikorodu road the headquarters of INEC? How has INEC divided Nigeria exactly? On the issue of six geo-political zones, how is the removal of JEGA going to help with actualising that? Okay, let us say your intents are pure, how come 70% of the people I saw at Motorways yesterday are wearing OPC T-shirts instead of CCN? How come flyers litter the entirety of the street instead of your association speaking to and handing same to people? You didn’t see the matches, charms and guns brandished by some hard looking boys yesterday? How come Channels TV and AIT showed pictures of billboards demolition in the midst of the “peaceful” walk? My sister, it is better to keep quiet considering that you are running for elective office now.’

    Another respondent, by the name TW expressed surprised at Adesiyan’s post.

    “I will not join issues with you on the misplaced issue of the suspended polling units by INEC. But take very strong exception to the lies on what happened yesterday on Ikorodu road. As an Attorney, your right and that of other members of the OPC to protest is inalienable and protected by the laws of the land (The 1999 Constitution of the FRN, as amended). But my dear sister, that right does not allow you brandish guns, machete and other dangerous weapons and destroying properties…’

    Another poster, Mr. Porsche, however, saluted what he termed Adesiyan’s ‘civil approach’ but went ahead to pose some questions for the actress.

    “Did you guys notify the Commissioner of Transport to assist in traffic control on Monday morning?” He asked. “If yes, what was the official response and, is it detailed and can we as Nigerians read or see it? Did you guys consider the plight of those who would get queried yesterday by their bosses or organisation heads for coming to work late? Did you guys think having such a rally on a Monday morning and locking down Ikorodu road which is the most reasonable alternative route to 3MB (Third Mainland Bridge) is the right way to go? You mentioned the Jega issue and him embarking on his leave on the 24th of March, 2015. Permit me to ask you truthfully, how will our democracy not get truncated if Jega leaves office four days to the Presidential Elections? Will the new man understand the system within four days? If you want Jega out four days to the election, so why keep him till 24th?’

    Although supporters of PDP on the forum also added their voice, claiming Adesiyan couldn’t have lied by saying she didn’t notice any violence, another member, Kabaat, has a contrary opinion.

    Obviously bitter, Kabaat said, “Playing Politics with issues as sensitive like what you guys did, is not only condemnable but treasonable to say the least. No matter the Party, such show of brutish brigandage, wanton destruction, violence and intimidation, should have no place in our polity. When you claim it was the ‘most peaceful’ protest, I am wondering if you were talking about that or another because images, facts coming from so called ‘walk’, tells the contrary.”

    Kabaat then advised politicians not to repeat history. “History is replete with instances like this, except if you don’t appreciate history. Boko Haram started like that, so did the Niger Delta militants. An OPC unleashed in the South west like BH in the North East, will not be an interesting proposal, I believe you agree. I personally was disappointed yesterday when I saw my ‘egbon’ Uncle Alex Osifo, in the company of these misfits and traducers who do not give a damn if this country burns. Are there no better modes or formats to express yourselves rather than the wanton destruction unleashed on the citizenry of Lagos? What happened to peaceful walk or press conference or an artistes’ jamboree to spread your message? Look here…anybody who tells me it’s about Jega, needs to have their heads examined. Jega is not our problem. We are our own problem. If going to the streets and destroying public properties is your solution to get Jega out of office, then… I will reserve my comment.’

    Adesiyan however insisted that there was no violence at all.

    “I do not speak from both sides,” she said. “I stand by what I believe in and I stand tall. I was there. There was no iota of violence all through the rally. I still drove back home on Ikorodu road where the rally took place and I repeat- No Vandalised vehicles.”

    It was, however, widely reported that the protesters wielded weapons and harassed Nigerians as they went about on Monday, causing traffic jams in some parts of Lagos.

    Also confirming the chaos, a Bosun Osifowora wrote of his wife’s experience at Mushin. “Someone beside her had pellets removed from her body from the shooting,” Osifowora noted. “We need to condemn the act of the president; things are degenerating into base levels with this campaign. Police was protecting OPC members wielding guns and machete. It took me three hours to drive from Isaac John to Police Command (within Ikeja). Things are getting worse, the president should dissociate himself from these things. He is creating a monster which he may not be able to tame all in the name of second term. These things will come back to haunt him. I guess u still remember the mayhem that these OPC guys caused during Obasanjo’s tenure. Now that they have the backing of the president, I guess you can’t imagine what will follow. We have only one country and if things disintegrate because of one man’s ambition, we will pay for it.”

    It will be noted that similar rallies had taken place by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) last week.

  • Why we boycotted anti-Jega rally – Ekiti OPC

    Why we boycotted anti-Jega rally – Ekiti OPC

    Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Ekiti State have dissociated themselves from the protest staged in Lagos on Saturday against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    The Lagos rally was spearheaded by the OPC National Coordinator Gani Adams who has endorsed the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan for the March 28 presidential poll.

    The Ekiti OPC members also revealed that they boycotted the Lagos rally in solidarity with their leader, Niyi Adedipe also known as Apase, who is on remand in Ado-Ekiti prisons.

    Adedipe was accused of complicity in the killing of former state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Omolafe Aderiye on September 25 last year.

    Speaking on the development in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the Ekiti OPC Deputy Coordinator, Olowo Oladele, stressed that they are standing by their leader, Adedipe, whom he said Adams had forsaken since he (Adedipe) was remanded.

    Oladele who addressed journalists alongside the OPC State Secretary, Idowu Julius and Adedipe’s Personal Assistant, Kamarudeen Lateef, said members are angry with Adams for attempting to coerce them into his personal agenda without supporting Adedipe in his trying times.

    Oladele said Ekiti OPC members cannot be lured with a “bogus and questionable” pipeline security contract to attend a jamboree in Lagos when their state leader is languishing in detention.

    He disclosed that they received the notice to attend the Lagos rally on Thursday with Adams directing that each OPC state chapter should send 50 delegates adding that member of the group was promised N50, 000 as largesse from the pipeline security contract.

    Oladele said members of the group in Ekiti conferred with their leader in the prisons where they resolved to boycott the rally where a protest march was held against INEC chair Jega

    He said: “Our members are not interested in any pipeline contract or any filthy lucre for that matter.

    “What we are interested in is how our leader, Apase, will be released from the prisons because we strongly believe that he did not commit the offence for which he is being remanded.

    “We all resolved not to go to Lagos when our leader is inside prison because neither Jonathan nor Adams has offered him any support and they did not bother about his plight.

    “In fact, we all entered into an oath that nobody should attend the Gani Adams rally in Lagos even if they offer us N1 million each because the freedom of Apase who is an innocent man is very important to us.”

    Julius said all the 16 local government chapters of the OPC are solidly behind Adedipe maintaining that Adams ought to have supported him (Adedipe) in his travails rather than summoning them to Lagos.

    “We cannot be going for a jamboree in Lagos and be dancing naked in the marketplace when our leader is detained in the prisons and that is why we resolved not to go to Lagos and the compliance was full and total.

    Lateef said: “All the 16 local government coordinators in solidarity with Apase decided to stay away from the anti-Jega rally.

    “We dissociated ourselves from the anti-Jega rally because we don’t want to lose focus of why OPC was established which was to protect the interests of the Yoruba anywhere in the world.

    “OPC is for Yoruba interests and not for somebody’s personal interests and that is our stand and we have no apology for that”.

  • The slide to anarchy

    The slide to anarchy

    •Protests by pro-Jonathan forces against deployment of card readers in the general elections are irrational and condemnable

    Daily, as the March 28 presidential election draws closer, antics of pro-Jonathan forces are getting out of hand. They show that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is desperate to hold on to power and he is unwilling to do the civilised thing in a democracy: allow free, fair and credible polls.

    The latest was the protest staged by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other forces loyal to the president in Lagos on Monday. Under a primitive lie that they are seeking the resignation or removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, the protesters paralysed traffic along very busy Lagos highways, including the popular Ikorodu Road and Funso Williams Way.

    The staged acts subverted the fundamental principle of peaceful protests in a democracy. The law was pooh-poohed.  The protesters brandished dangerous weapons, including guns, machetes, pocket knives, even as law enforcement agents apparently undermined their own responsibility to society by providing cover for them. They smashed vehicles, harassed innocent citizens, shot indiscriminately, paralysed the city, punctured social liberties and truncated commerce.This is unacceptable in a sane and lawful society. Nigerian law does not allow illegal possession of firearms, and its display in broad daylight is yet another indication that the state has further decayed under the administration that the protesters seek to keep in power.

    Another nightmarish parody was the place of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE- P) in the protest. The agency was designed ostensibly for progress and peace. But it has become an agent of subversion and primitive lawlessness in the past two years in Lagos. The Jonathan administration has been alerted to the danger of their activities but it has kept an undignified silence.  It constitutes violence against the state for men paid their wages and expected to be independent of political persuasions to join hoodlums in waging war against the society.

    A time there was when ethnic militia were outlawed in Nigeria. Leaders of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) that organised a similar protest in Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra states were arrested and arraigned in court for seeking the dismemberment of the country. The objectives of the movement have not changed and the leaders are still in office. Yet, the Jonathan administration is recruiting members of the outlawed organisation to keep it in power. It reflects not only desperation but that President Jonathan follows the Machiavellian path of overthrowing the constitution for his own selfish ego.

    Every day, the signs become more apparent that the Nigerian state is failing and the incumbent government is unable to make a distinction between its task of providing leadership or caving in to his interests fuelled by a carpet-bagging cabal at such a difficult moment. The role played by the Nigerian Police is even more savage. The police is the civil institution saddled with the task of protecting the common citizens, ensuring that the ship of state remains afloat and that the laws of the land are obeyed by all. However, as the militia men disrupted the peace in Lagos and the South eastern states, they had the police looking on. It did not matter to them that the weapons being brandished emanated from unknown sources and could have been used to perpetuate crimes before they surfaced at the protest rallies.

    Ralph Uwazurike of MASSOB and Gani Adams of the OPC who felt compelled to seek Jega’s removal only because some politicians felt he would not do their bidding are apparently doing so because they had been so mobilised by a government from which they have derived succour in recent times. The OPC and its leaders have just had their nests feathered by a slew of juicy oil pipeline-protecting contracts.

    The protests underline fear in high places over the upcoming elections. Only cowards take to gangster methods as the OPC demonstrated in Lagos. They also campaigned against the use of card readers, a device that would make the elections more transparent and readily acceptable. They do not want the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Card Readers for which money has been appropriated and approved by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council for the general elections. The electoral commission had served notice since 2011 that it would be travelling this road. Why then would the same government be supporting calls for resignation of the symbol of the electoral system now?

    Anyone familiar with the nation’s political history would realise that tampering with the balance in the North West or South West is an invitation to anarchy. This is one thing Nigeria can ill afford at this point when the economy is in a shambles and all facts point to collapse of the state if the drift is not arrested.

    The ruling political party owes the country a duty to call its supporters to order. Powers must be accompanied by responsibility. At a time when all that contribute directly or indirectly to political violence are being brought to justice at the International Criminal Court (ICC), we call attention of those who think they could misuse state power to this development.

    All that Nigerians want now is the conduct of free, fair and credible polls. It is the only way to go as the people want their will respected.

    We call for the arrest and prosecution of all those inviting mayhem in the country. Any unauthorised display or use of weapons must be punished as deterrence to others. The Jonathan administration is setting another dangerous precedent that could easily become the norm in other parts of the country.

    We condemn the President who, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has not found it fit to query the Inspector-General of Police and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the show of shame  Neither the president nor any of his associates has condemned the barbarous show in lagos. How could the president explain to himself that he is encouraging militancy in the south while he is fighting another in the north? This sort of double standards will not bring peace and trust in the land.

    Certainly, 12 days to a crucial election is not a time for any sane person to call for removal of the head of an electoral commission without adducing verifiable reasons.

  • OPC: Operation Public Chaos

    What is this news that a fragment of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), self-identified defender and promoter of Yoruba interests, has not only sold its soul for filthy lucre but also lost its collective mind? Members of this faction on March 16 took its militancy to heights that mirrored a disturbing depth of degeneration.

    In an unprecedented display and demonstration of desperation, the group terrorised Lagos in the name of a political protest. A report said: “The two pamphlets distributed by the protesters had 7 reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan must continue in office and 7 reasons why Prof Attahiru Jega, the INEC boss, must go on terminal leave and be replaced with a credible administrator before the elections.”

    It was a message of force by forceful messengers. According to a report: “The protesters got traffic stuck for hours, smashed cars, harassed motorists and disrupted business in many parts of the city. They destroyed banners and campaign billboards of All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates.”

    Who was behind the bedlam? A subsequent eye-opening disclaimer said: “We, the members of the National Coordinating Council of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, the highest ruling body of the organisation, wish to disassociate ourselves from the shameful, destructive, violent and reactionary activities of the Gani Adams-led team which occurred in Lagos today.” The statement added: “What was witnessed in Lagos was the highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the Jonathan government.”

    From all appearances, the protesters were fuelled by reported multi-billion naira oil pipelines protection contracts controversially awarded by the Jonathan administration to a selection of militant and pro-militancy groups ahead of the country’s general elections, most likely to influence their support for Jonathan’s reelection ambition.

    It is a reflection of the politically charged and politicised atmosphere that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is expected to manage the oil jobs, attempted to divorce the award and renewal of the combustible contracts from political calculations. A statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said: “The pipeline protection contract is part of our community engagement programme across our host communities aimed at getting community members to help in the task of protecting the pipelines around their communities.” The corporation continued: “They are actually designed to complement the work of the security agencies by raising the alarm and drawing the attention of security agencies to any suspicious movements around the pipelines right of way.”

    Could this be correctly interpreted to mean that the contractors are expected to function only as spies of sorts? So, how can the violent expression of political dimensions by the Gani Adams-led OPC be explained or understood?  Gani Adams is reportedly involved in the pipelines protection deal, which is increasingly looking like a Jonathan promotion contract.

    Just a thought: Could it be that Gani Adams and his followers are misinterpreting and misrepresenting the terms of the deal in their overexcitement? And there are certainly enough pocket-related reasons to be overexcited.  This movement from pipelines protection to public chaos is a sign of a chaotic group headed by perhaps a chronically convoluted character.

  • Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Popular Yoruba actress and lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Funke Adesiyan, has been getting flaks for saying the march on Monday, by hoodlums under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was peaceful.

    According to organisers, the rally was to ask for the sack of Prof. Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Adesiyan, who plans on seeking re-election as lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted in a BBM group chat, naijahottestgist.com that, contrary to the reported violence which took place during the march, no violence was recorded.

    “Good morning Parliamentarians, I was part of the walk by Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) led by Otunba Gani Adams,” she said, Tuesday.

    According to the actress, who is running for the Ibadan South-East Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the protest was not politically motivated and not sponsored by anybody. “We are only asking for an explanation on the allegation against Prof. Jega saying that under-age youths were registered to vote in the north. We say NO to postponement of elections because of shortage in PVC collection. We say NO to creation of 30, 000 illegal polling units in the North. We ask for equity in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. We are one great nation and we don’t need Prof. Jega to divide it for us,” she addressed the over two hundred members and supporters of the APC and PDP of the group, who cut across Nigeria and the Diaspora.

    “On this premise,” the thespian continued, “we call on Jega to go on his break due on the 24th of March, 2015 and allow another credible officer from INEC conduct this election. We broke nothing, touched no one, and maimed no one. It is the most peaceful rally I’ve witnessed in recent times. It was sponsored by no one. All of us that got involved did it voluntarily based on our passion for equity, justice and unity of Nigeria. It’s unfair that APC is trying to frame us. Nigerians know propaganda is APC style and we shall not lose focus on achieving our aim peacefully.”

    However, some fans of the actress and pro-APC members on the forum were quick to take her on, in what soon generated in a hot debate, counter accusations and resentment.

    “I have pictures of vandalized cars and stuffs by the OPC goons unleashed on Lagos by GEJ, Fasheun and Gani Adams. Guys please stop defending the indefensible,’ a Prof Chris Nwaokobia Jnr, responded.

    A member named KJV also berated Adesiyan for being part of Monday’s controversial protest.

    “The issue of the 30, 000 additional polling units have been put to rest by INEC,” KJV wrote. “Where are your facts that under-age youths were registered by INEC and if you do have them, is Ikorodu road the headquarters of INEC? How has INEC divided Nigeria exactly? On the issue of six geo-political zones, how is the removal of JEGA going to help with actualising that? Okay, let us say your intents are pure, how come 70% of the people I saw at Motorways yesterday are wearing OPC T-shirts instead of CCN? How come flyers litter the entirety of the street instead of your association speaking to and handing same to people? You didn’t see the matches, charms and guns brandished by some hard looking boys yesterday? How come Channels TV and AIT showed pictures of billboards demolition in the midst of the “peaceful” walk? My sister, it is better to keep quiet considering that you are running for elective office now.’

    Another respondent, by the name TW expressed surprised at Adesiyan’s post.

    “I will not join issues with you on the misplaced issue of the suspended polling units by INEC. But take very strong exception to the lies on what happened yesterday on Ikorodu road. As an Attorney, your right and that of other members of the OPC to protest is inalienable and protected by the laws of the land (The 1999 Constitution of the FRN, as amended). But my dear sister, that right does not allow you brandish guns, machete and other dangerous weapons and destroying properties…’

    Another poster, Mr. Porsche, however, saluted what he termed Adesiyan’s ‘civil approach’ but went ahead to pose some questions for the actress.

    “Did you guys notify the Commissioner of Transport to assist in traffic control on Monday morning?” He asked. “If yes, what was the official response and, is it detailed and can we as Nigerians read or see it? Did you guys consider the plight of those who would get queried yesterday by their bosses or organisation heads for coming to work late? Did you guys think having such a rally on a Monday morning and locking down Ikorodu road which is the most reasonable alternative route to 3MB (Third Mainland Bridge) is the right way to go? You mentioned the Jega issue and him embarking on his leave on the 24th of March, 2015. Permit me to ask you truthfully, how will our democracy not get truncated if Jega leaves office four days to the Presidential Elections? Will the new man understand the system within four days? If you want Jega out four days to the election, so why keep him till 24th?’

    Although supporters of PDP on the forum also added their voice, claiming Adesiyan couldn’t have lied by saying she didn’t notice any violence, another member, Kabaat, has a contrary opinion.

    Obviously bitter, Kabaat said, “Playing Politics with issues as sensitive like what you guys did yesterday, is not only condemnable but treasonable to say the least. No matter the Party, such show of brutish brigandage, wanton destruction, violence and intimidation, should have no place in our polity. When you claim it was the ‘most peaceful’ protest, I am wondering if you were talking about that or another because images, facts coming from yesterday’s so called ‘walk’, tells the contrary.”

    Kabaat then advised politicians not to repeat history. “History is replete with instances like this, except if you don’t appreciate history. Boko Haram started like that, so did the Niger Delta militants. An OPC unleashed in the South west like BH in the North East, will not be an interesting proposal, I believe you agree. I personally was disappointed yesterday when I saw my ‘egbon’ Uncle Alex Osifo, in the company of these misfits and traducers who do not give a damn if this country burns. Are there no better modes or formats to express yourselves rather than the wanton destruction unleashed on the citizenry of Lagos yesterday? What happened to peaceful walk or press conference or an artistes’ jamboree to spread your message? Look here…anybody who tells me it’s about Jega, needs to have their heads examined. Jega is not our problem. We are our own problem. If going to the streets and destroying public properties is your solution to get Jega out of office, then… I will reserve my comment.’

    Adesiyan however insisted that there was no violence at all.

    “I do not speak from both sides,” she said. “I stand by what I believe in and I stand tall. I was there. There was no iota of violence all through the rally. I still drove back home on Ikorodu road where the rally took place and I repeat- No Vandalised vehicles.”

    It was, however, widely reported that the protesters wielded weapons and harassed Nigerians as they went about on Monday, causing traffic jams in some parts of Lagos.

    Also confirming the chaos, a Bosun Osifowora wrote of his wife’s experience at Mushin. “Someone beside her had pellets removed from her body from the shooting,” Osifowora noted. “We need to condemn the act of the president; things are degenerating into base levels with this campaign. Police was protecting OPC members wielding guns and machete. It took me three hours to drive from Isaac John to Police Command (within Ikeja) yesterday. Things are getting worse, the president should dissociate himself from these things. He is creating a monster which he may not be able to tame all in the name of second term. These things will come back to haunt him. I guess u still remember the mayhem that these OPC guys caused during Obasanjo’s tenure. Now that they have the backing of the president, I guess you can’t imagine what will follow. We have only one country and if things disintegrate because of one man’s ambition, we will pay for it.”

    It will be noted that similar rallies had taken place by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) last week.

     

  • Pro-Jonathan OPC on the rampage through Lagos

    Pro-Jonathan OPC on the rampage through Lagos

    Lagos, Nigeria’s business and financial engine-room, was yesterday groaning under a crippling protest by the militia group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

    Security agents looked the other way as the group’s members troubled the city, calling for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    The protesters were members of a faction of the OPC, led by Chief Gani Adams, one of those who have just won the controversial N9billion pipelines protection contracts. They were supported by an amorphos group – the Committee of Concerned Nigerians (CCN). Some Niger-Delta militants reportedly joined the protest.

    The protesters got traffic stuck for hours, smashed cars, harassed motorists and disrupted business in many parts of the city.

    They destroyed banners and camapign billboards of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.  The streets were strewn with the pamphlets they gave out to terrified residents and satchets of water they consumed.

    “Had supportters of the APC reacted, the story would have been different,” an APC chief who watched the march said.

    The protesters smashed their way through the major streets— from Berger at the entrance into the city from Ibadan through Ojota to Maryland where they converged before marching  through Ikorodu Road to the National Stadium.

    The protesters followed in the footsteps of their fellow ethnic militia group in the Southeast  – the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) – whose members protested against Jega in Enugu, Owerri and Abakaliki last weekend.

    The groups are believed to be sponsored by the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Commuters on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, the old toll gate and Ojota   were stuck for hours.

    More than 5, 000 people with over 50 buses under the aegis of “ Coalition of Concerned Nigerians” blocked a section of the road, distributing pamphlets and causing a traffic snarl that lasted for hours.

    Lagos residents took to social media to vent their anger over the disruption of their lives by the protesting OPC members.

    One Diced Pineapples queried the police for “protecting that kind of unjust rally, causing stupid traffic for ordinary people.”

    Another citizen, Nike Fakorede, said: “It is the height of insanity. Ours is really a banana republic. Real shame.”

    Adebayo Bukola twitted: “To the OPC niggas protesting in Lagos, continue! We’ll soon have the video of how the protesters don’t know why they are there.” (Continued on Page 2)

  • ACF blasts Gani Adams over call for Jega’s sack

    ACF blasts Gani Adams over call for Jega’s sack

    Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday blasted the Coordinator of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams over his call for the sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
    The OPC leader, according to the ACF, had called for the sack of the INEC boss on the basis of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), introduction of card readers and the creation of 30,000 polling units, which he claimed favour the north.

    The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammadu Ibrahim, in a statement in Kaduna on Monday, noted that the body would not have reacted to the OPC leader for obvious reasons.

    The group, however, said Adams’ utterance was laughable and pedestrian, noting that the OPC leader lacks the understanding of the Nigerian Constitution and the electoral law.

    According to the forum, it clearly portrayed him (Adams) as ignorant of digital age where transparency is the hallmarks of free, fair and credible elections.

    It said the utterances of the OPC leader not only as parochial but one portrays him as seeking political relevance.

    The ACF said: “it is not the tradition of the Arewa Consultative Forum to respond to such unguarded and misinformed statement by leaders of socio-cultural groups or any individual for that matter on national issues.

    “However, we find it necessary to respond to Chief Adams false claim that the creation of additional 30,000 polling units was fraudulently done by INEC to favour the North.

    “In fact, based on scientific and statistical analysis of the INEC data, the North was actually shortchanged. Nigeria with a total registered voter figure of 70,383,427 in 2011 and when divided by the proposed INEC 150,000 polling units across the country, every polling ubits in any state should have 469 voter per unit to make it easier for voters to cast their votes.”

    The statement noted that was as a result of the hue and cry over the additional units from Southern leaders that forced INEC’s creation of the 30,000 units.

    The forum added that the creation of the units would not change the number of registered voters, calling on leaders at all levels to guard their utterances, especially on issues they were not properly informed.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must work towards our common interest. We should strongly emphasize what binds us together and not what divides us,” the ACF added.

  • Group promotes Yoruba heritage in Europe

    Group promotes Yoruba heritage in Europe

    To take Yoruba culture and identities worldwide, Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) National Coordiantor Otunba Gani Adams has inaugurated three chapters of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in France, Sweden and Cyprus. With the inauguration, the list of countries where OPU is has risen to 52. In Sweden, the inauguration was held at Gothenburg, attended by over 2,500 Yoruba and their friends.

    The inauguration of the France Chapter  was held at Boulevard De Liberation, St Denis, Paris. Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, His Excellency Hakeem Olawale, was represented by the Head of Chancery, Olumide Olowo.

    Otunba Adams, who was represented by a delegation led by the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun said: “It is imperative on us, as true sons of Oduduwa to rise up and quash the scientific and systematic obliteration of the pristine Yoruba cultural heritage and value, particularly among the new generation of the Yoruba in the Diaspora.”

    Also in the delegation were Captain Abiodun Adesina, Chairman, Freelance Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) Lagos Chapter, Mr Abiodun Abayomi Mate and two other journalists.

    He noted that it is a task, which if ‘we fail to do, will bring upon the present generation generational curses and denouncement by the next generation and generations yet unborn.’

    In a speech by Captain Adesina, Otunba Adams said any race which out of sheer carelessness, irresponsible despondency and unbridled complacency allows cultural imperialism, vogue, modernisation and social indoctrination to wash away its intrinsic cultural heritage, traditional values, norms and mores, will heap on itself irremediable generational curse and odium from generations yet unborn.’

    “And I cannot be part of this generation and allow this omen to come to fruition; hence, I have taken this burden of Yoruba cultural rejuvenation, sustainability and enhancement upon myself in alliance with you all.

    “Some of you may be complacent and careless about your children embracing other people’s cultures without having a grasp of your own. It may be expedient now, but very soon, the children will have cause to blame and even curse you by the time they failed to culturally identify themselves, which may subject them to being ridiculed and embarrassed as children of no culture, no tradition, no value and identity,” he added.

    Otunba Adams, however, warned that if Africans in the Diaspora fail to aggressively address the deliberate cultural imperialism being launched in a systematic destructive process by the western world in the name of vogue and modernism, the continent will wake up one day to find out that its culture and values have been obliterated from the socio- cultural map of the world.

    Continuing, he said: “This is why we have inaugurated the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in 52 countries of the world and we will not rest until OPU is launched any where under the firmament where the scion of Oduduwa lives and recreates.

    “On my own, I have decided to defend the cultural integrity and heritage of the Oduduwa race without entertaining any fear or favour.

    “The task of revamping, resuscitating and rejuvenating of the cultural identity, norms and moral traditional values which distinguish the Yoruba race from the others is necessary accomplished mission. It is in this line that I urge all of us to see the intrinsic necessity in teaching our children our culture, tradition, values and mores. These are what make and distinguish us from others.”

    The event witnessed colourful presentation of Yoruba cultural dance, poems, display of Yoruba cuisines, cutting of the cake by OPU members in Sweden spiced by rib-cracking jokes from Mate, aka, Ifa-nkalelluyah.

    The Nigeria Ambassador to Sweden, His Excellency, Benedict Onochie-Amobi, who was represented by Mrs Jane Ndem described Otunba Adams as the standard light bearer of Nigerian cultural asset in the global forum.

    The ambassador noted that without any point of equivocation and bias, Otunba Adams is the only Nigerian, who has strongly stoked the embers of Nigeria’s cultural revival on the international scene and in particular among Nigerians in the Diaspora.

    The Ambassador said the embassy was not only proud of the vision and activities of Otunba Adams in the area of cultural rejuvenation and resuscitation, but happy that a Nigerian is going all over Europe showcasing the cultural heritage of his race.

    “This singular move of Otunba Adams at showcasing the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race in Europe is setting in motion cultural revivalism among other Nigerian ethnic groups in the Diaspora.

    “We are happy about this development, which is calling the attention of our people to the   predicament, which our pristine culture, norms, values and traditional orientation are in, and ringing a wake up bell for all to hear and act. This is a new dimension to cultural nationalism and patriotism which is commendable.”

    Onochie-Amobi assured Otunba Adams of the fullest support of the embassy, saying: “I am happy that the objective of OPU tallies perfectly with cross–cultural relation one of the reasons why Nigeria maintains an Embassy here.

    “Your association apart from reviving and sustaining the Yoruba culture is also showcasing and selling Nigeria as a country of very rich diverse culture for tourism purposes.”

    Coordinator, OPU, Sweden Chapter, Mr Victor Mobolaji Adewale called on his members to remain focussed in the pursuit of the objectives of the union.

    He commended Otunba Adams for rising stoutly in defence of the cultural integrity and protecting the heritage of Oduduwa children from being consigned to the dust bin of forgetfulness and ocean of irremediable damage by invoking a cultural revolution, which has spread through 52 countries of the world.

  • Tension as gunmen kill OPC man, driver in Benin

    A leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), identified as Victor Omoruyi, has been killed in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    A commercial bus driver was also killed yesterday in the city by gunmen who were said to be walking in two groups of five and two men.

    Their deaths have heightened tension in the ancient city, where over 10 persons had been killed in various parts of the city since the clash began last Saturday.

    Both men were shot at close range by the armed men at Uselu in Egor Local Government Area and New Benin, the commercial nerve centre of the capital city.

    A source said Victor was killed at 8pm on Saturday at Uselu Quarters when he was returning home after attending an end-of-the-year function organised by the OPC.

    But an OPC member, Yomi Adeleye, said he was killed when youths with pump action guns stormed the meeting and shot him.

    The meeting was said to have appraised the anti-crime efforts of the group in the outgoing year.

    OPC members displayed Victor’s body on the street with a vow to avenge his death.

    The unidentified bus driver was killed yesterday.

    He was said to have been traced to the busy New Benin Motor Park, where he was shot in the head repeatedly in the presence of passengers in his bus.

    Police spokesman Noble Uwoh, a deputy superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incidents.

    He said investigations into the killings had begun.