The Oodua
Peoples Congress(OPC) will, on Thursday, August 29, celebrate its 25th
anniversary.
The silver Jubilee celebration will hold at the Grandeur Event
Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
Disclosing yesterday in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of
the group, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, the National
Coordinator and the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun
Ige Adams, said the journey that started 25 years ago was tortuous, and there
is reason for celebration.
He gave reasons for celebrating the silver jubilee of the
Congress.
The Aare Onakakanfo went down the memory lane explaining that it
was the annulment of June 12 1993 presidential election that culminated
in the struggle to liberate the Yoruba nation,thus bringing about the
establishment OPC on August 29 1994.
"The zeal and patriotism of some Yoruba Nationalists to
liberate Nigeria from the brutal, ferocious and savage hold of military junta
led to the thrusting of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) into national
consciousness on August 29 1994".
"The late Dr. Frederick Fasehun, myself and seven others took
a critical and patriotic decision that the mandate of the late Aare Moshood
Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, annulled by former Military President,
General Ibrahim Babangida, must be actualised and Nigeria must be set free from
the clutches of dictatorship".
"These and many other injustices from the then Head of State,
the late General Sani Abacha, led to the formation of the Congress.
"Five years after the formation, democracy took a firm root
in the country in 1999."
"Today it is a thing of joy that we have 20 years of
uninterrupted, participatory democracy in Nigeria.
"But, this is not without sacrifice.
The late Abiola, whose mandate was annulled on June 23, 1993,
alongside OPC leaders, fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993
democratic wishes of Nigerians.
"But sadly, the business mogul died in detention in
controversial circumstances during the regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar
on July 7, 1998" .
"Many Nigerians that protested the continued detention
of Abiola were shot on the streets by soldiers between 1993 and 1998" .
"Some Nigerians such as Pa Alfred Rewane, Mrs. Kudirat
Abiola, Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, Admiral Tunde Elegbede, James Bagauda Kaltho,
Shola Omasola, Oluwatoyin, Onagoruwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa and others were killed.
"Activists and journalists, such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi,
Olisa Agbakoba, Frank Kokori, Kunle Ajibade, Chris Anyanwu, Ben Charles-Obi,
Onome Osifo-Whiskey, Babafemi Ojudu and others were detained and, some, jailed.
Prof. Wole Soyinka, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others were forced to
relocate from Nigeria
"It was a period of persecution, victimisation and wickedness
in high places
"But today, democracy has come to stay. OPC is 25 years and
we have every reason to remember Nigeria's heroes and those who have been
forgotten"
Adams, also expressed regret that despite the death of a number of
nationalists,and sacrifices of the fallen heroes, not so much has been achieved
with democracy.
He, however, said that with the determination of the group not to
relent and continue pressing for better change, Nigeria, and the Yoruba nation
will be liberated.
"Though, democracy is here, we are still faced with several
challenges. Part of these challenges is the spate of insecurity in the country,
but I am optimistic that Nigeria and the Yorubaland in particular, will
get it right one day"
On the silver jubilee anniversary of the Congress, Iba Adams said
there have been series of programmes lined up for the celebration.
Part of the programmes for the grand finale, he said, was the
public lecture, by Professor of Political Economy and International Relation,
Prof. Tunde Babawale of the Department of Political Science, University Of
Lagos, and the Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State Independent Electoral
Commission (LASIEC)
Special Awards will be presented to 21 eminent Nigerians, both the
living and the dead,and a dinner party for all the guests.
"Some of the big names and recipients of the OPC
special posthumous awards, include the late chiefs Obafemi Awolowo, the late
Moshood Abiola, MKO Abiola, chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr. Beko Ransome-
Kuti, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, Justice Adewale Thompson,Ambassador
Segun Olusola,Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Olumide Adeniji, Tony Ngrube, Prof.
Sophie Oluwole, Ibraheem Abobanawo, and the founding father and Spiritual
leader of the Congress, the late Dr. Fredrick Faseh
Other awardees were, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Barristers Femi Falana,
Femi Aborishade, Kehinde Oluwole, Gabriel Akinadewo, Dr. Joe Okei- Odumakin and
Yemisi Shylon among others.
" The awards is to appreciate all the recipients for playing
different roles in the course of the struggle to liberate the nation." He
said.
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