The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), led by the late Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, yesterday promised to mobilise support for the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other candidates of the party in the Southwest in next month’s general elections.

The deputy president of the socio-cultural group, Wasiu Afolabi, made the promise in Lagos.

He said the group resolved to police the votes of the electorate and enhance credible elections by resisting rigging.

Afolabi, who led members of the group to the Independent Campaign Organisation (ICG) office at Oduduwa Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, for a meeting with Sanwo-Olu; Campaign Manager Tayo Ayinde; his deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku and other committee members, said the interest of the Yoruba race remained paramount to OPC.

He said: “We have the power to vote; we have the power to defend the votes. These two objectives we will accomplish.”

The retracing of steps by OPC represented a critical and decisive political move by the organisation in post-Fasehun era.

Afolabi said talks between the late OPC leader and APC stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had started before Fasehun died.

According to him, surviving OPC leaders decided to put finishing touches to the discussion.

He added: “Let it be known that in the formation of the OPC by Dr. Fredrick Iseotan Fasehun, the National Leader of APC played a role. We are proud to be back home.

“Fasehun had put his differences with Asiwaju Tinubu aside. But he died when the group was about to finalise the agreement with him. We have resolved to cooperate with Asiwaju Tinubu. We will deliver the whole of the Southwest in the next elections. I have to thank our leaders who made this possible – Afolabi Salami and Olalekan Akintade.”

The OPC members were ushered into the campaign office by Ayinde.

Others at the meeting included former Agriculture Commissioner Enoch Ajiboso, Sesan Olarewaju, Bolaji Ariyoh, Wahab Alawiye-King, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Wale Adelana, Hamid Olorunoje, Ololola Essien, Tokunbo Wahab, Chris Ekwilo, Durosinmi Adeboye, Gafar Toyin, Yetunde Arobieke, Bayo Ajisebutu and Sesan Daini, who was the master of ceremony.

Afolabi was accompanied by Alhaji Ibrahim Olarewaju, Chief Lekan Akintade, Women Leader Alhaja Taye Ibrahim, National Coordinator Mudashiru Adeniji and First Vice President Olasunkanmi Balogun.

Sanwo-Olu, who thanked the OPC leadership for the endorsement, hugged and exchange banters with the organisation’s officers and members.

He assured them that they will not regret voting for him.

Ayinde paid tribute to the memory of Fasehun, describing him as a patriot and great leader who was fortunate to be survived by competent deputies.

Also, Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, thanked OPC form its support, saying public perception of the group had changed from its characterisation as a militant body to a peaceful cultural group.

He said: “People used to think that OPC was a militant group, but you are not a militant group. You are a cultural group. There is peace in the OPC. It is a peaceful group and meant for the emancipation of the Yoruba.”

•Excerpted from The Nation report