‘We are after the progress of the Yoruba nation’

Rotimi Olumo is the Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress in Oyo State. In this interview with GBENGA OLUMIDE, he spoke about the crisis which erupted among members of the group at Adamasingba, Ibadan, recently, and the need for everyone to support OPC in Yorubaland.

What really caused the crisis that erupted among members of OPC during the Yoruba summit at Adamasingba, Ibadan, recently?

It saddens one’s heart that some people who are enemies of progress can come to such an event to attack members of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) led by Chief Gani Adams. The attack came to us as a surprise because members of OPC came alongside their leader, Gani Adams en-mass to attend the Yoruba Summit held at Adamasingba Stadium on the fateful day. We the followers of Chief Adams believed it was an avenue for all Yoruba to speak with one voice. Eighty per cent of the population of those who attended the programme were members of OPC. We have prominent sons and daughters of Yoruba land in attendance. I left the venue around 1:00 p.m. because I’m a student of The Polytechnic Ibadan and I had an examination that very day. I was at the examination hall when I received a distress call from my secretary that a group called OPC New Era attacked our members when Chief Adams was leaving the venue. I quickly rushed to the venue and I was informed that some of our members had been hospitalised due to the high degree of injury sustained in the attack. When I got to the hospital I was shedding tears because they were in critical conditions. Unfortunately, Lekan Adebayo died the following day which was September 8. They were eight in number, but thank God that others survived.

The medical personnel tried their best but it was just so unfortunate that Lekan died. I want to make it loud and clear that we members of OPC under Gani Adams are not thugs or miscreants as some people think. Those who fomented trouble among us have been expelled from the organisation since five years ago. We heard later that those who attacked our members claimed that they were not recognized at the summit and that prompted them to act like that. The organizers of the Summit knew the authentic OPC members and their leader and that was why Chief Gani Adams was allowed to speak on behalf of OPC. We participated in the programme because we are after the progress of Yoruba nation, but it is just unfortunate that these heartless people used that opportunity to attack and kill our members. We are appealing to the government and Yoruba leaders to please intervene and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

What steps have you taken so far since the incident happened?

We have reported the case to the police and investigation is ongoing. I was informed that those people had been declared wanted. I met with the Commissioner of Police and the DPO, Mokola Police Station. I must use this opportunity to appreciate them because if not for their timely intervention the crisis would have worsened.

It is generally believed that OPC is one. What caused the disunity among its leaders?

Well, to the best of my knowledge, OPC is one. The OPC that is recognised by all and sundry is the OPC led by Gani Adams. I don’t believe there is disunity in the organisation because all of us, including our papa, Dr. Fedrick Fasheun are one.

You said it is the only OPC led by Adams and Dr Fasheun that exist, what about OPC New Era and OPC Reform?

I think the troublemakers among us who were expelled from the organisation are the ones calling themselves OPC New Era and OPC Reform. These sets of people are after what they want to eat not the interest of Yoruba nation. They are the ones denting the image of our noble organization. OPC was established to fight for the right of Yoruba people home and abroad, and is the only group that is championing the cause of Yoruba. Arewa is protecting Hausa people while MASSOB is for Igbos.

Do you think Yoruba people still recognise OPC as a responsible organisation?

I told you earlier that the main reason OPC was established is to fight for the right of Yoruba. We are determined to ensure that there’s peace in the South-West region and that is why we have been assisting the police all the while. We have not deviated from our aims and objectives. We still remain a force to reckon with.

What has been your achievement as the coordinator OPC in Oyo State?

Oodua Peoples’ Congress in Oyo State under my watch has achieved a lot. For the first time in the history of the group we have a united OPC in the state and our members now see themselves as brothers and sisters. Now we see ourselves as partners in progress. Our members are now attending seminars to have more knowledge about security. We invited security experts and university lecturers to educate our people on how to be vigilant and security conscious. OPC under my administration now has a cordial relationship with security agencies in the state. We relate closely with the police, DSS, Civil Defence and even the Nigerian Army. We have assisted both the government and the security agencies in reducing crime in Oyo State.