FROM LEFT…PDP Chieftain, Otunba Okanlawon Sabiu, OPC Vice President, Otunba Olasunkanmi Balogun, OPC President, Prince Osibote Oodua, and PDP Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, during a parley at Century Hotel, Lagos, on Wednesday
Both the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, have sued for peace in the coming polls.
At a meeting between Agbaje and leaders of the group that took place at the Century Hotel owned by the Late OPC Founder and President, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, they agreed on the need to guarantee peace and electoral fidelity during the polls.
Agbaje said: “I have come because I know you have value to add to the electoral process in Lagos State and indeed the entire Nigeria. We look up to OPC for peace and security during the election.”
OPC was led to the parley by the Late Dr. Fasehun’s successor and current President, Prince Osibote Oodua, OPC Vice President Otunba Olasunkanmi Balogun, OPC National Commander, Mr. Mudasiru Adeniji, and several others.
Osibote said although OPC had no political leaning, the socio-cultural group would do everything to guarantee that the elections were free and fair.
“In OPC, we are not partisan because in our group we have members belonging to PDP, APC, Accord, Labour, NCP and so on. Our main concern today is to stand against thuggery and guarantee free and fair elections. That is the value we want to add to politics,” Osibote said.
Recalling his long relationship with OPC, Agbaje said he had fraternized with the group since the struggle for June 12 in 1993, when he was part of the Concerned Professionals and Treasurer of Afenifere, apart from his constant public and private interactions with its late Founder and other members.
According to him, over N7 trillion had passed through the current leadership of Lagos State in the last 20 years with little to show for the colossal sum.
Present at the parley were OPC leaders from all the local governments in Lagos State.
Also in attendance were PDP chieftain and confidante to the Late Dr. Fasehun, Otunba Okanlawon Sabiu, President of the National Coalition of The Atiku Agenda (CENTAA), Honourable Adeoye Jolaosho, Personal Assistant to the President, Mr. Tunde Thompson, and Mr. Bunmi Fasehun.
A member asked for a slot for OPC in Agbaje’s government, saying, since the PDP candidate had said he had not come to solicit their assistance for thuggery and violence, he should ensure they featured prominently in the incoming government.
Saying he would give serious thought to this request, Agbaje said: “I am not a politician who will promise what he cannot do. What I cannot do, I will not say. But what I promise I will surely deliver.”
He promised to empower the group when he came into government.
‘We are for people’s Lagos, not one man’s Lagos,” he said. “And by God’s grace, we shall get into government and OPC shall enjoy.”
His words were greeted with loud cheers and ovation.
“If OPC should back up this freedom we have declared, then the battle is as good as won. I trust that whatever it takes you will give the struggle,” the politician said.
He urged them to maintain OPC unity as well as the legacy its Founder stood for.
