Yorubas Feel Secure With OPC Than Police — Mimiko

Dr. Fredrick Fasheun turned 80

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State at the weekend said the Yoruba area is protected by members of the Oodua Peoples` Congress (OPC). Mimiko stated this at the 80th birthday celebration of OPC founder, Dr Frederick Fasehun, in Lagos.

“You founded OPC, today, I tell you in Yoruba land that many Yoruba people feel more secure with OPC guarding their streets than the conventional police,” he said.
The governor noted that the formation of the group was one of the many legacies of Fasehun.
“It is not yet over; you struggled for democracy for this country; the second part of it is indeed the struggle for restructuring Nigeria into true federal state.

News Agency of Nigeria report continues:

One thing is clear and I have always said this that OPC is about protection of Yoruba people; because they hate injustice,’’ he said.

He described Fasehun as a detribalized and unique Nigerian.

“I speak on behalf of the government and people of Ondo State; we are proud of you.

As a governor, I am proud to be associated with you,’’ he added.

In his remarks, Maj. Hamzat Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security of Officer to late Sani Abacha, said Fasehun was a bridge builder.

“He has done quite a lot; nobody can quantify the much he has put across the country. He has capacity, wisdom and a heart that bridges peace,” he said.

Al-Mustapha also described Fasehun as “brave, dependable, fearless and knowledgeable’’.
In his speech, Fasehun, said the celebration was organized to build bridges as it brought different ethnic groups in Nigeria together.

“Our country needs to be re-organized and that is why I am very happy that many ethnic nationalities are here because we want to use this opportunity to start bridge-building in this country,” he said.

Fasehun urged the federal government to show commitment to improving education of youths so as to promote unity and curb insecurity.

“We have been agitating for free education at all levels; it is the right of all youths. Education is the bed rock of national development so all of us must commit ourselves to the education of youths,’’ he stressed.

Fasehun, who announced his retirement from partisan politics at the occasion, said he would like to be regarded as an elder statesman.

“I give up placard-carrying; every Nigerian is my brother, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and others. All of us should be committed to bridge-building; henceforth, I will be an advocate of peace to all”, he said. He added: “We have not noticed the possible aspect of change, but 100 days is too short. We want Nigerians to be patient, just as I advise President Muhammadu Buhari to concentrate on governance”.

He commended the president on the fight against corruption but warned against “selective probing’’.