Posted by By AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan on
For the first time since the arrest of its two leaders, Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams, the Oyo State chapter of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has demanded the release of the detained leaders, saying that their arrest was political.
For the first time since the arrest of its two leaders, Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams, the Oyo State chapter of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has demanded the release of the detained leaders, saying that their arrest was political.
In a release signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the ethnic militia group, Comrade Adesina Akinpelu, the group said its silence over the persecution of its leaders should not be misconstrued for cowardice.
'The silence of the Oodua Peoples Congress over the arrest of its leaders should not be seen as an act of cowardice but a calculated attempt at preserving our hard-earned democracy.
'It is, however, pertinent to note that since the arrest of our leaders, members of the group have remained calm and embraced legal and peaceful means to secure the release of our leaders.
'This action of ours is based on the fact that we believe in democracy and we will not be involved in any action that will jeopardise this democracy, which we and other groups in the country fought for", the statement said in part.
The group, however, frowned at the motive of President Olusegun Obasanjo in clamping down on pro-democracy activists that fought for the country's nascent democracy and ensured the release of Obasanjo himself from the Abacha gulag.
In a related development, the group has dissociated itself from the clash that ensued between police and Area Boys (hoodlums) in Bere area of Ibadan last week, saying that it was the activities of some bad eggs within the society that were committing atrocities in the name of the group.
The group, therefore, urged the police to effect the arrest of those behind the violent clash, which it said, has so far claimed about four policemen.