By Samuel Onyekwere
Members of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) have been warned to steer clear of politicians who may want to use them for thuggery. This warning was given by the Founder of the socio-cultural group, Dr Fredrick Fasehun, at the celebration of Ogun Ajobo Day by OPC Ajeromi, in Ajerom, LGA.
He said the festival is in agreement with OPC’s cultural belief and focus, which is to promote and protect the socio-cultural values of the Yoruba. The octogenarian told the gathering from all over Lagos state that the group is a credible and peace loving organization, and so the members should not allow politicians to use them to foment trouble
He said: “I want to admonish all of you to be peaceful and conduct yourselves. Our past record speaks for itself. OPC is a non-political organization and we will encourage them to vote the candidate of their choice. We will vote based on achievements of candidates, not party, and that’s why I reminded our people that they should go and collect their PVCs.”
Dr Fasehun, while commenting on security, said when the group was initially formed, it was complementing the efforts of the police, but had to pull back when they discovered that the police were not comfortable with the arrangement. However, he added that the police have invited them once again to work with them in order to provide adequate security.
Alhaji Ibrahim Olarenwaju, the Lagos State leader of OPC, said the festival underscores the importance the group attaches to the Yoruba culture. He also advised members not to allow politicians use them to achieve their political ambition. Explaining further the importance of the festival, he said Ogun is a powerful shrine revered in the Yoruba land where controversies are settled within seven days. The celebration of Ogun Ajobo Day shows the importance the group attaches to the shrine, which he says is the deity that guides the Yoruba people.
The OPC Chairman in Ajeromi, Comrade Ganiyu Iyoku-Ope, said Ajeromi is the only local government that celebrates the Ogun Ajobo and he sees the visit of their founder, Dr Fredrick Fasehun to Ajeromi for the festival as a great honiour. He said the group is working in conjuction with the police in the area to ensure adequate security for the people of Ajeromi and Lagos as a whole.
The festival had in attendance, the executives of the Lagos state chapter and the national executives of the Dr Fedrick Fasehun-led executives. It also witnessed the appearance of some of the units under the OPC and their commanders all in their various uniforms.