The National Co-ordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, on Monday urged Yoruba people to prepare to defend themselves against any external aggression.
Adam declared that his men may not be able to provide enough security as attacks by the Fulani herdsmen persisted in the south-west.
He spoke at the lecture organised by the Ondo State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to commemorate the 2016 Democracy Day.
The theme of the lecture was “Herdsmen/Fulani Clashes: What Implication for Inter- Ethnic Relations/Nigerian Economy?”
Adams, who was the guest lecturer at the event, said OPC members had been demoralised by negative comments of Yoruba people on the activities of the group.
According to him, the group had lost the zeal to protect the people because its members had been branded touts, thugs and terrorists by the same Yoruba race.
The OPC leader said they were only recognised during elections, adding that politicians were fond of shutting their doors against them after winning elections.
Adams lamented a situation where some traditional rulers did not encourage OPC in their communities, describing it as painful.
He said: “Religion has taken away traditional means of protection from the people in Yourba land. Religion is good, but one must not be fanatical about.
“If we are moderate in our religious beliefs in Yoruba land, be you Christian, Muslim or traditional worshiper, who dares bring attack into our communities? But Yoruba people are being hypocritical about traditional protections.”
Adams urged the people to use whatever traditional object they have to protect themselves and their communities, saying the first law in heaven is self-defence.
The OPC chieftain flayed the comment ascribed to President Muhammadu Buhari that the 2014 National Conference report would be kept in the archive, saying such statement was insulting.
