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OPC leader backs Ndigbo for 2007
BISIRIYU OLAOYE,
Deputy News Editor
F OUNDER of Oodua
Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has thrown his weight behind
Igbo’s quest for the presidency in 2007, saying it is the turn of the South
East.
Dr. Fasehun stated this just as he reiterated that the
convocation of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) "is inevitable" as it is the
only panacea to solve the lingering socio-economic and ethno-religious problems
in the country.
According to him, since the Hausa had
their own slot in the Presidency and Yoruba is now the incumbent President, the
South East should be allowed to take the next slot in the interest of fairness
and social justice.
"If Nigeria is standing on a tripod, that
is three major tribes - Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and the Igbo; the Hausa had had the
lion’s share of the governance of the polity, the Yoruba had to fight
politically before they could get a touch of the cake. After the Yoruba have
spent their own terms, it should be obvious to anybody that the third leg should
be given a chance. The third leg is the East.
"If the Hausa-Fulani had had their own
turn, the Yoruba had had their own turn and you are allowing the power to shift
back to Hausa-Fulani, then, you are not doing justice to the third leg. That is
why I said without social justice, there can not be peace. We must allow social
justice to reign," Fasehun stressed.
The OPC founder, who was also the
presidential aspirant of the defunct Labour Party spoke with Daily Champion
on the activities lined up for the maiden edition of "Oodua Day" slated
for between August 5 and 7 at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Mokola, Ibadan,
the Oyo State capital.
He, however, advised the Igbo to get
serious about the Presidency to avoid losing the chance to another tribe.
He noted that it was unfortunate that the
agitation for the Igbo presidency seemed to have been selfish interest of some
people.
Said he: "They (the Igbo) are just
agitating among themselves. The Northerners have held on a few individuals, but
the Igbo have interested people from virtually every village in Igboland.
"In other words, while they fight among
themselves, an on-looker from afar will just sneek in under them and steal what
they are fighting for," he added.
The OPC chieftain stated that the SNC
would make Nigeria move forward, declaring that without it "Nigeria will remain
a stagnant nation politically and it won’t develop."
"My suggestion is the Sovereign National
Conference. Those who are opposing its convocation are the worst enemies of this
nation. Never mind the position they occupy. They are the worst enemies of this
nation. We believe that without a Sovereign National Conference, Nigeria will
not move forward," he further stated.
On the Oodua Day, he said it is
organised by the Oodua World Council under its leadership, adding that
President Olusegun Obasanjo, all the Senators, lawmakers in other State Houses
of Assembly and other eminent Nigerians and well-wishers have been invited to
the occasion.
He said the "Oodua Day is to
showcase our Yoruba culture, to foster unity and create tourist centre in
Yorubaland so that Yoruba people will have a different focus."
"The event, starts from 5th and endson
August 7, and we have secured Adamasingba stadium, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State for
the entire programme.
"On the 5th, there will be opening
ceremonies, conference and interactive session between the youths and the
parents. On the 6th, there will be an exhibition of Nigeria’s cultural
heritage-traditional medicine and traditional healthcare method, cooking,
fashion etc. On the 7th, we are going to have a cultural parade. The day will be
crowned with an award for very, very eminent Yoruba people. We want to disclose
them now," Dr. Fasehun said.
Delegates from London, Cuba, Sierra Leone,
Ghana and other West African countries, are among those expected at the maiden
edition of Oodua Day.
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