OPC Founder Fasehun Dies At 83
Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, died yesterday after a brief illness at the age of 83. Prominent Nigerians, including the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Are Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, among others have mourned the passage.
Fasehun died at the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. In a statement issued by Tinubu, which was signed by his media aide, Tunde Raman, the elder statesman was described as a “pro-democracy activist and a nationalist”.
“He was a renowned prodemocracy and good governance activist, committed democrat and tested political player and Yoruba nationalist, who left behind fine legacies.
“He was known for his Yoruba nationalistic fervour. Like an Afenifere chieftain that he was, he fought stridently for the Yoruba cause. He canvassed true federalism and political restructuring. He fought as well for the cause of the nation.
“The good thing about Baba is that there was no time he ever sat on the fence. Although trained as a medical doctor, he was active politically. We were together at the forefront of the agitation for the de-annulment of June 12. He founded the Oodua People’s Congress to actualise June 12, but espoused non-violence,” Tinubu said in the statement.
Similarly, the Aare Onakakanfo in a condolence letter stated that he received the news with great shock while describing it as a moment of great grief for the Yoruba nation.
“It was with shock that I received the sad news of the passing of our Papa and founding father of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) which occurred today, December 1, 2018. This, no doubt, is a moment of great grief for entire family of OPC, Yoruba nation, Nigeria and the world at large.
“But it is also clear that the deep sense of loss over the demise of our beloved leader is shared by many like me. I hasten therefore to address this statement to commiserate with the immediate family over this painful bereavement,” Adams stated.
Also a former National Secretary General, OPC, Kayode Ogundamisi mourned Fasehun, stating, “Baba as we all called him served his people in his own way. We agreed to disagree on a lot of issues but his commitment to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria was never in doubt. His courage in the face of adversity was amicable and adopted by many who served with him.”