OPC Alleges Plot to Scuttle Proposed National Conference, Incite Military

A Yoruba socio-cultural and self-determination group, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), has warned "unpatriotic Nigerians" against inciting the military into adventurism as it alleged that some forces are working against the success of the proposed national conference.

The group in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Gani Adams, yesterday said it was disheartening that some Nigerians were out to ensure that the opportunity provided by the conference for all the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria to discuss the problems affecting them does not see the light of day.

He reaffirmed OPC’s support for the national conference proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan, stating that: "Our stand, as earlier stated in our memoranda to the Okunrounmu-led committee on the national dialogue, remains that the national dialogue conference will go a long way to solve most of the problems that are presently besetting our nation."

He, therefore, reiterated that the Yoruba nation was ready to participate in the conference.
"We also hold the view that any section or people opposed to this opportunity to put an end to the problems militating against the growth and development of Nigeria are nothing but retrogressive elements whose only agenda is the imminent break-up of the country."

Adams said his group was aware that the president had publicly declared that there would be no-go areas for the conference in its attempt to make sure that "all the problems that have stood in the way of the country from developing would be discussed."

Hence, he drew the attention of those opposed to the conference to the story of former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela, who despite years of deprivation, set up a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to look into the problems of the apartheid years. The rest, like they say is history, as his nation is the better for it today.

While insisting that the conference will avail the ethnic nationalities the opportunity to correct the "inequities of constitutional unitarism, political feudalism and economic vandalism that are presently the order of the day," Adams warned against any attempt by any group or group of people to incite rogue elements in the military to rebel.

He urged members of the committee and all those connected with the conference to go back and consult the memos submitted by the OPC, noting that "the problems in the land today would become history if the ethnic nationalities meet to discuss and find the way forward."

Source: Thisday live