It is the OPC Stupid!
By
M. Danlami
Once again the Angels of Death, Odua People's Congress (OPC), have struck, this time in a murderous rage that has claimed over a hundred lives. This recent mayhem is one of many that the OPC has orchestrated against innocent Nigerians. Its tactics has remained the the same, stir up conflict and then move in for the kill. The OPC has no doubt become the most vociferous and the most brutal of any militant ethnic organization in Nigeria. The gruesome nature of their crime is unspeakable, horrifically shocking, and utterly beyond belief. If one is to look for barbarism of medieval proportion, one just needs to look no further than Lagos and its surroundings. Wherever the OPC resides nothing but violence befell that community and especially when non Yorubas live amongst them.
The brutality of the OPC knows no bound. No one is spared when it comes to the menace of these anti democratic morons. Their continued attack on innocent Nigerian citizens is a shameful and disgraceful act that no human in his or her right mind can tolerate for too long. These merchants of death have inflicted painful death and suffering to many innocent Nigerians including their own Yoruba brethren. They have killed and maimed more people than all the people killed by the last four military regimes combined and all this in the span of less than three years. The OPC is not only fighting the Hausas or the Igbos, but it has killed people from all parts of the country.
Recently, a foreign journalist pointed out one of the characteristic objectives of the OPC as being to slaughter anyone that is culturally and linguistically different and to eliminate anyone through its murderous way. Such is the fate of many innocent Nigerians in the hands of these tribal terrorists. One wonders what is the motive of such a violent lawless organization.
The OPC's objectives handed down from the upper echelon of the Yoruba leadership are clear... to search, to root out and to kill in the most gruesome manner as many northerners and opponents as possible. No, it is not enough to go after Hausa Fulani, but anyone that looks remotely like them as well. The endurance of the human spirit has indeed being tried tirelessly by the continued provocation and murder of many.
It is certainly unclear why the OPC would continue to attack and kill opponents without provocation, in this democratic dispensation. A likely answer could be that this militant organization's need to create a niche for itself. By engaging in anarchy in Lagos and indeed in the south-west, the OPC has become a regional force feared by many. A look at the modus operandi of the OPC as a strategic force of the Yoruba ethnic reveals some semblance to the mafia-styled domination and terrorization of Italy. Like the mafia, the OPC is being guided by some prominent people from within the community. The OPC has engaged in the systematic disruption of law and order in the south-west by killing at will law enforcement officers and anyone they deemed to pause a threat. They have been implicated in the looting, robbery, and destruction of police stations at will. They have engaged in creating an aura of fear around them to the extent that no one dares to oppose them. They have become the enforcers of their brand of justice. In fact, many have hinted at the involvement of the OPC in major crimes such as armed robbery, extortion, drug and gun smuggling and forgery. Weather these allegations are true or not remain to be investigated by the current administration, which up till now has done nothing to curb the excesses of the OPC.
The strength of the organization and its overwhelming support by the Yoruba leaders regardless of what evil it has brewed has made some to point fingers at the upper echelon of Yoruba leadership as being the brain behind must of the mayhem perpetrated by these criminals. The OPC does not act impulsively but rather their style of attack has always been preceded by rhetoric and anti-northern sentiments by certain highly placed Yoruba leaders. In view of the way highly placed Yoruba leaders have come out to support the OPC, regardless of what mayhem they were engaged in and their incapability to condemn the OPC's excesses, shows a clear collaboration between OPC and Yoruba leaders. If Yoruba leaders are defenders of human rights as they claim then why are they silent every time the OPC strikes? It is a question the international human rights must grapple with. In fact, some of these leaders have often if not openly provided twisted rationale for the OPC's brutality, while still others have undertaken to diminish the numbers of the people who have died in the hands of the OPC as insignificant. The claims of these leaders as vanguards of human right is a sham. A newspaper reported that Wole Soyinka himself was listed by the British Secret Service as a terrorist, obviously they must have a reason to classify him as such, otherwise there would be no reason why a Nobel laureate would be declared a terrorist. Noting that terrorism is not synonymous with human rights, then how can a man that has been coined by others as a human rights activist also be classified as terrorist?
Given that the demands by the Yorubas and their leaders during the Abacha dictatorial government had been the need for the democratization of Nigeria, most Nigerians are perplexed by the way the same Yorubas had allowed themselves to be used by some of their leaders to destabilize the country. It appears that the same ethnic group that was shouting at the top of its voice for democracy has now made a U-turn to undermine it at all cost.
There is no explanation for the rationale for any Yoruba to support the killing of other Nigerians, and certainly not northern Nigerians who have voted en masse a Yoruba person in the name of Olusegun Obasanjo into the presidency, thus catapulting the Yorubas as the power brokers in Nigeria. If you asked Yorubas living in the north and if they would offer a truthful answer why they lived in the north, many of them would tell you that they were likely to be more successful in the north than in the south. Why? simply because many of their brethren are engulfed by jealousy so perverse they would do anything to prevent someone else from succeeding. Many Yorubas in the north would tell you many of them were treated with respect and dignity and afforded hospitality they would not otherwise receive in their own homeland. Their business were patronized by many northerners. Many Yoruba sons and daughters were given scholarships and offered high ranking positions in their host states. This was in sharp contrast to the muzzling of northerners living in southern states. The hospitality showered onto Yorubas and in deed southerners as a whole during the time of Sardauna up till now is well known and documented. Had the Yoruba's realized this, they would have reciprocated. It was therefore not clear why the Yorubas shifted their strategy from that of respect for their fellow Nigerian to a more violent stance in spite of what the north had done to their brethren.
It should be remembered that the ascendancy of the Yoruba ethnic group as the power brokers in Nigeria today was by no means as a result of the political ingenuity of the Yoruba leadership but rather it came about through an array of cooperation, understanding and the generosity of the northern people who forego democratic principles by not contesting the presidential election in order to have a Yoruba in power. By so doing the Northerners had hoped this would atone them for their past dominance in the political leadership landscape of Nigeria. No where in the world where true democracy flourished had a people being denied the right to contest a presidential election as in the last Nigerian election. Nevertheless, most northerners accepted their disenfranchisement for the good of the country as a whole and as a gesture of good will from a humble people of the north to a humble people of the south. Many have termed this maturity and generosity as being the "proper" thing to do. It enabled Nigerians to breath the air of freedom and democracy. It made the transition from military to democracy a reality.
The whole country witnessed how the Yoruba backed political party, the Alliance for Democracy (AD). AD became registered unconstitutionally against the Federal Electoral Commission's guidelines set forth for the registration of political parties. However Nigerians accepted the registration in order to give peace and democracy a chance. It is a shame therefore that these same leaders of the southwest have decided to make a mockery of that generosity by supporting violence and terrorism. Rather than uniting to build a country they instead manipulate good Yoruba citizens into being stooges for destabilizing the country.
Rather than maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation and solidarity, the Yoruba leaders have chosen confrontation and violence over cooperation and togetherness and this is to be the driving force behind their agenda. The gesture of good will by the Northern people isn't enough for the Yoruba leadership. What else is required of the northerners short of capitulation and becoming second class citizens? It is certainly delusional for the Yoruba leadership to think they can subjugate and suppress a majority in a democratic dispensation, obviously, the wish of these leaders can never materialize simply because the northern people are resiliently patient.
Against the back drop of all the mayhem and violence in Lagos is the Tinubu "Factor". One thing we know is that this Yoruba leader has come out openly or indirectly to condone the murderous rage of the OPC in the past. We know too that Bola Tinubu himself has refused to accept the OPC's complicity to these crimes. He not only exonerate the OPC but offers suggestion as to who might be responsible. The question is if the governor is so certain of his claims why hasn't he encouraged the arrest of these persons? Or is it because those he is trying to single out are actually members of the OPC, an organization he supports? The governor is truly making a farce of his intelligence and that of others.
The governor of Lagos has shown he is incapable of maintaining law and order in Lagos and therefore must be held responsible for many of the ills in Lagos. Of what use is an executive governor who cannot provide protection to the indigenes of his state ? The Governor insultingly makes excuses for the hooligans as ones who perpetrate serious violence. The governor is not doing anything at all to bridge the gap amongst his populace nor is he doing enough to discourage the killing of innocent people. Bola Tinubu must be held accountable therefore for his lack of leadership in this regard. His lack of leadership has plunged Lagos into anarchy and blood bath. On the same note it will be worthwhile for the governor of Lagos to learn from the likes of Makarfi who when confronted with violence in their states took charge and established measures towards dispelling tensions in their States. On several occasions after violence has erupted in Lagos Northern governors have come out to discourage the would be reprisal killers from killing thousands of Yorubas in their states. They did not come out and side with the hooligans or offer excuses for them. This is a lesson that the Bola Tinubu needs to learn.
The restraint that has been shown by the northerners in spite of the never ending violence against them is nothing short of angelic. The provocation by the OPC has continuously being underplayed by the current administration which has been playing lip service to the northerners in order to avert major catastrophes in the north in the form of reprisal killings and yet have not offered any concrete steps towards capturing and prosecuting to the full extent of the law any of the OPC members and the Yoruba leaders who have continuously and openly offered their blessings and support to the horrific violence inflicted on northerners in the south west.
The administration continuously reiterated to Nigerians that enemies of democracy are at work in the spate of these ethnic crises. Yet the number one enemy of democracy, namely anarchy and the lack of respect for the rule of law, has not been addressed adequately by the current administration. No substantial measure has been taken towards capturing and prosecuting these enemies of democracy in part as a result of the corrupt, one-sided and inept judicial system in the country today. One wonders why no action has been taken by the current administration to fully implement justice at all cost and to bring back the respect for what has become a foul judicial system especially with regards to the Lagos courts which have succeeded in tribalizing the justice system with selective prosecutions where by they prosecute anyone that doesn't look like them with uttermost zeal and throw out any cases dealing with their beloved OPC. The southwestern judiciary has succeeded in trabalising the justice system so much so that it is doubtful whether it can give justice to all. This may be so because of fear of the OPC by the judges and perhaps the judges themselves feel an affinity for the OPC. If you are a criminal and want to get away with a crime in Lagos just tell the judge in the southwestern court you are a Yoruba and an OPC supporter and member and you just might be freed. Amazing brand of Justice indeed.
Mr. president it is time to wise up! Most people know and respect you as a no-nonsense, impartial leader. The trust and confidence Nigerian have for you was the reason for your landslide victory in the last election. However, Mr. President, events of the last three years have left those who have voted for you en masse in doubt of your leadership. The people are now asking you to come to their aid and they still believed in you.
The OPC threats and their continued terrorist activities against Nigerian citizens is very real and the single major contributor to the instability of Nigeria's democracy. Their lawlessness and the manner by which these hooligans feel the need to take the law into their hands is the greatest danger Nigeria is facing today. It is indeed "The OPC Stupid"!
Anarchy prevails in the southwest with the police rendered ineffective by the ruthless nature of OPC, which targets members of the law enforcement agencies and by the lack luster support of the the current administration towards law enforcement. The president has not addressed these issues in a manner consistent with his rhetoric.
Mr. President, most leaders are remembered best for the legacy they left behind than by how many elections they had won. If you left anything as a your legacy let it be a legacy in which you succeeded in bringing Nigerians closer together and that you revived patriotism and oneness of purpose amongst all Nigerians. Any success to bring about an atmosphere of justice and equality amongst Nigerians shall earn you a position in history as the justice president. The ball is in your court Mr. president. It is not too late to salvage your presidency and your legacy.
Terrorism by any group or organizations be they BAKASSI Boys, OPC, or 'Yan daba must be treated as as terrorism against all. Mr. President the dangers of allowing ethnic terrorism to continue unabated with no prosecutions and punishment is too great. It is possible that if ethnic terrorists were allowed to thrive this might lead to more serious crises which could result in the exacerbating religious fundamentalism in Nigeria. it is therefore in the best interest of Nigeria to do anything and at all cost to stamp the orgy of ethnic and sectarian violence. It is indeed "A Task That Must Be Done ", because doing nothing would mean certain inescapable disaster. It is not too late for these crises to be nib in the bud.
Rather than spending millions of dollars building expensive stadiums for cosmetic reasons funds most be diverted towards keeping the populace safe and free. For it is only when Nigerians are able to feel safe and to be free in a stable democratic setting would the country benefit from the unleashing of creativity and talent that most peaceful nations realised. Violence, fear and suppressions all serve to stunt the growth of Man/Woman in any society. The use of religion and ethnicity to buttress support amongst the populace to create chaos and lawlessness must be look down upon by all people. The lessons learnt through out history has been that violence always begets violence and mankind most find ways of preventing them. The need for a peaceful coexistence of humanity most be a priority for all. Terrorizing a people all people in the name of religion, nationalism or ethnicism as the Nigerian militants from all corners of the country have engaged in does nothing to foster humanities growth. Most of the nations that are successful in the world today all have one thing in common that is respect for the rule of law and democracy. Nigerians most be educated on the basic understanding for the respect of the rule of law without which no viable democracy can survive. Nigeria's money must be spent where it is needed to enforce law and order provide jobs and health care food and shelter to all Nigerians.
Mr. President inline with this you must fight terrorism with vigor on your on soil in your own back yard. Failure to do so would lead to doom. Mr. President you must stop the OPC's terrorism against innocent civilians. In fact, you must encourage your attorney general to prosecute ethnic killers. Terrorism is a federal offence and therefore must be prosecuted by the Attorney Generals office under an impartial court system free of ethnic bigotry. You may consider establishing an office for ethnic hate crimes, so as to know why they occur and guard against occurrences in the future. You must in addition 1) Encourage the " De-tribalization" of the judicial system in the country. The current judges in the court systems most be purged to make way for new younger motivated judges untainted by tribal politics or ethnic hate to deliver justice in Nigeria, in a similar fashion to the way you have purged the military in your effort towards professionalizing the military. Why should Nigeria continue to pay judges that deliver foul justice?. You must encourage the hiring of ethical judges through out the country 2) You must demand the prosecution and punishment of all ethnic militia and their leaders who engaged in savagery. The law must come down hard on anyone that harbors assists finances supports and leads terrorists organizations even if they are guised in the form of religious or tribal, organizations. 3) You must equip the Police and other law enforcement agents to carry out their duties properly. You must provide them with the tools to do the job right. 4) You must provide incentives for the police force and reward them for the tireless job of upholding the rule of law. Mr. President doing anything less would be tantamount to ineffectiveness.
In conclusion the northerners must take their plight to the international communities. they must be heard by amnesty international by human rights organizations around the world. Northern leaders must not sit and observe without making their plight known to the rest of the world. Reprisal Killings are not the options nor are they the solutions. Your culture of tolerance and hospitality must guide you against savagery. In the way you have refused to engage in reprisal killings after the latest OPC violence against your people in Lagos you must always guard against impulsive tendencies. Killing Yorubas for a downed Hausa oh Kataf is equally reprehensible. You the northern leaders have provided leadership to Nigeria and therefore must be the leaders in this arena of guarded reasoning. The violence against your people must be exposed at the international level You must take your plight to world leaders globally. You do not lead Nigeria now and therefore must not feel guilt to voice out the plight of your people to the world.
In a nutshell Northerners must have a different approach towards safe guarding their interests by
1) Taking the issues of genocide to the international stage. You must engage the United Nation and world leaders to condemn the violence inflicted by the opc and other militia in the country.
2) Northern leaders must solicit a ban on travel abroad by Yoruba leaders that have been found to engage and in support of the militant Yoruba group and terrorism in general.
3) Northerners must elect leaders that would serve them and the country well.
4) Northerners must unite and utilize all their resources towards self reliance.
5) Lastly Northern Nigerians must respect their brothers be they Igbo or Yoruba. They are part of you society and Country and have the same aspirations. They must be treated as you want your own brethren to be treated.
Nigeria is capable of succeeding if only it would look at the lessons learnt by the Europeans. The Europeans killed each other mercilessly at one time but look where they are today after embracing peace rather than violence.
To Peace Justice and Equality.
Adios.