Presidency: OPC denies supporting Osinbajo, Tinubu, Fayemi

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) said it was not backing the presidential ambition of any South-west politician in 2023.

In a statement on Sunday, the OPC spokesperson, Yinka Oguntimehin, said the president Nigeria needed to be better was not the like of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, and Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi.

OPC explained that whoever succeeded President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 would not make much difference without the restructuring of the country, hence the group insisted that what Nigeria needed was restructuring.

According to OPC, the country should adopt the 1963 constitution which allowed each region to develop at its own pace.

Advertisement

Oguntimehin said the statement was to distance OPC from an alleged mega accord of 57 civil society groups rooting for a South-west presidential candidate.

The OPC said it was not a political group nor was it mobilizing for any politician or party and those dropping its name were only out to defraud members of the public.

“We are aware that when elections are approaching, some politicians usually use the OPC’s name to curry favours. There are some groups that are affiliates of political parties that usually make themselves available for politicians as at when due,” Oguntimehin said.

He added that even with an angel in charge of Nigeria, without restructuring Nigeria might not make any meaningful progress.

“When anything happens in Yorubaland, you don’t hear their voices, except during elections or when they are paid to issue statements against us.

“Even if an angel emerges the president of this nation today, without restructuring, nothing will change for the better.

“Our position on the futureh of Nigeria is clearly stated in our belief in restructuring. That is why we root for regionalism as the best option for peace and stability,” OPC added.