Otunba Wasiu Afolabi has been elected as the new President of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) last Tuesday, October 26.
Deaconess Iyabo Fasheun, the wife of the late founder of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Dr. Frederick Fasheun presided over the ceremony where the mantle of leadership was handed to the new president-Afolabi
Until Fasehun’s death on December 1, 2018 Afolabi was OPC Deputy President, and on April 8, members unanimously elected him as the substantive President alongside other executive members.
Deaconess Fasheun also advised the new leader of OPC not to use his position for selfish gain at the expense of the group.
“Do not see your election as an opportunity for selfish gain but an opportunity to serve and serve well.
“My husband stood for justice, peace and unity that he fought for until he transited. This path you should follow likewise.
Always remember that Nigerians are watching to see how OPC will behave in your own time and at this period in our national history.”
She recalled that OPC was founded in 1994 to protect Yoruba people and their interest.
However, Afolabi, vowed to do everything to fulfil the founder’s mission.
He, as well extended a hand of fellowship to all OPC factions that had broken away from the mainstream founded and headed by Fasehun.
Afolabi said: “Let us come together to face our common enemies. Those enemies are people and conditions that encourage insecurity, poverty and inequality in the lives of Nigerian people.”
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari must realise that Nigeria urgently needed restructuring because no nation, with its complexity and diversity could be welded together by fear, by force and by injustice.
