Yoruba group makes case for true federalism

Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

The Odua Progressive Care Initiative (OPCI), a Yoruba socio-cultural group on Tuesday called for full blown federal system in Nigeria, where States would truly be independent. The President of the group, Dr. Maruf Olarewaju made the call in Ilorin at its National Coordinating Council meeting of the organisation. The president noted that OPCI, as an organisation that believed in good governance and rule of law over the years, had been calling for a structural repositioning of the country. Olarewaju explained that the organisation had resolved to partner with any party and presidential candidate that was committed to the lofty idea. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC) to be impartial in the poll by ensuring that elections were not only free and fair, but accepted by all. “We therefore enjoined all the youths, our mothers, women and everyone to come out in their multitude to perform their civic responsibility of voting for their candidates. “Let me reemphasis before concluding this address that no member of OPCI is mandated or directed to get involved in political hooliganism, we must all be very careful in our conducts and association. “Lest we be used as instruments of violence or instability by anybody big or small within or outside this state in the coming general election”, he said. According to him, OPCI was launched in 2017 in Ife, Osun state for the progress of Yoruba people across the country and beyond. The OPCI boss noted that the organisation, which had since then registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), maintained members across the country. All the state coordinators, who spoke at the meeting urged members to be committed and dedicated to the lofty ideals of the founding fathers. Daily Times, reports that delegates from Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Niger, Sokoto and Federal Capital Territory among others attended the council meeting.