OPC Transforming Into Political Party is ill-conceived, says High Chief Kalejaiye

Mojisola Lawal

High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, the Baale of Otumara II, Apapa road, Ojo-oniyun and its environs has condemned the proposed transformation of the yoruba socio-cultural group, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC into a political party, describing it as a misplaced priority.

High Chief Kalejaiye’s stance was contained in a press release exclusively sent to newsexplorersng.com in which he reacted to the statement credited to the coordinator of the group, Aare Gani Adams at an event to mark the 25th years anniversary of the group.
According to him, the OPC has earned the reputation of liberators of the Yoruba race and this they have done over the years protecting and preserving the dignity, customs and value of the Yoruba nation.

He said turning political will amount to compromising the standard, mission and vision of the OPC as he said, “OPC candidate that stands n an election will be not consider the core values of OPC and protect fellow Yoruba and adopt whatever means to achieve electoral victory. This by implication will amount to melting out injustice to fellow Yoruba man he is meant to protect.”

High Chief Kalejaiye added that OPC turning into a political is not in the interest of an average Yoruba man as the group since the last election has been seen to be partisan and promoting unpopular political agendas in the Southwest.

He said, “It is a known fact that the leadership of the Oodua Peoples Congress has been romancing the Peoples Democratic Party, OLD therefore it is not surprising that they are going official with this mission. I would say this portend a grave danger for the Yoruba race because what OPC stands for will definitely be compromised.

I want to call on Aare Gani Adams to reconsider this proposal for the overall interest of the Yoruba people. Being a generalissimo, his constituency is the entire Yoruba community but once the OPC turns partisan, interest will be sectional and the danger in this is better imagined than experienced.

Let it be known that OPC need not involved in partisan politics to make impact in the political affairs of the country. It is a pressure group which over the years has stamped its print on the hearts of many Yoruba men and women.”

It would be recalled that Are Onakankafo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Thursday in Lagos at the 25th anniversary celebration of the OPC said that the Odua Peoples Congress may switch from being a socio-cultural entity to become a full-fledged political organisation.