Dr Fasehun was the President of OPC (Oodua Peoples Congress) when I was the organisation's Sec-Gen. I left the OPC when I noticed the inconsistency in the message and action of Dr Fasehun.I would not in my slightest dream think the well respected Yoruba leader would degenerate to the level of romancing with the Abachas, it saddens me that Fasehun is rewriting his legacy and becoming e mockery amongst sane people.
Kayode Ogundamisi. Ex OPC SEC GEN
Afenifere tackles Fasehun on Abacha anniversary…Says his presence in Kano shocking, embarrassing By RAZAQ BAMIDELETueday, June 10, 2008
•Dr. Fredrick Fasehun Story culled from the Nigerian Sun News Publishing
The Pan Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere has described the reported presence of the founder and President of Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun at the tenth anniversary of the death of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha in Kano as “unfortunate, shocking and embarrassing.”Speaking with Daily Sun in Lagos on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the organization, Yinka Odumakin, said Faseun’s reported presence at the celebration was very odd wondering, “what kind of signal is he trying to send across.”The concerned Afenifere spokesman who expressed the group’s worry and astonishment, however, informed that Fasehun has to be contacted to explain why he should be part of such a gathering reminding that Abacha was part of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment that led to the untimely death of a lot of pro-democracy activists, the bulk of who were of Yoruba stock, including the winner of the election M.K.O. Abiola and his wife Kudirat Abiola.His words: “I found his being part of the celebration a bit odd. That Dr. Fredrick Fasehun was part of the anniversary of Abacha who was responsible for the death of Kudirat Abiola, who incarcerated M.K.O. Abiola himself until he died in prison, who killed Admiral Omotehinwa, Pa Rewane and several other pro-democracy activists of Yoruba stock in particular is a bit odd.“For our own icon (Fasehun) to be found in such a gathering is rather unfortunate. To have been in a forum where Abacha was being celebrated, one has to see Dr. Fasehun to ask him what is happening because we are worried.“I think we have to see him and ask him what signal are we sending out? Personally, I was shocked to the marrow and embarrassed beyond explanation that such a thing could happen at all,” Odumakin stressed.Speaking further, the visibly baffled Afenifere national publicity secretary reminded that “OPC was a response to the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election. And for somebody like Dr. Faseun, who has rendered immeasurable service to Yoruba nation to celebrate Abacha is an indication that all what we have fought for had been lost.”
According to Odumakin, the country today was not democratic, the votes of the people didn’t count and so many martyrs including M.K.O. Abiola were lost to the struggle, lamenting that “celebrating Abacha by people like Dr. Faseun is like dancing on their graves,” which he declared was very unfortunate.
I find it very shocking that a man like Dr. Frederick Fasehun would be found in such an unhealthy gathering! What could have gone wrong? Are we missing out something somewhere? Is there a secret that has not been revealed to us?
ReplyDeleteIf I had been told some 12 years ago that this would be happening I would bet my life on it that it won't happen! I am still waiting to hear what Dr. Fasehun has to say on this. Has any media reached him yet?