Faseun-OPC removes Osibote, appoints Afolabi interim president
By Damilola Kushimo
Members of the Late (Dr.) Fredrick Faseun’s faction of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) have kicked out the group’s President, Prince Dele Osibote and replaced him with his deputy, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi.
They alleged that Osibote was high-handed and corrupt, claiming that he could not account for the proceeds of tolls collected at the Fasheun bridge.
The event occurred less than a week after the group unveiled a statue in the image of their founder, Dr. Frederick Faseun who died December 1, 2018 at 83.
The statue is located at the Ago Roundabout, Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Osibote’s removal was contained in a statement read by the Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi at a crowded press conference held on Friday February 28, this year at the OPC Base at Ago-Okota area of Lagos State.
Osibote who became the leader of the group immediately after the death of the founder, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, was accused of working against the progress of the organisation and unity of its members.
The group accused Osibote of unilaterally dissolving the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the organisation three months after coming into office and constituting a new cabinet made up of dissidents who had left the group about five years ago.
The group also accused Osibote of financial impropriety to the tune of N60million proceeds from tolls collected from Fasheun Link Bridge.
“But rather than upholding his predecessor’s legacies and using his position to promote unity among OPC members, Prince Osibote has continued to sow seeds of discord and disharmony by unilaterally taking decisions that have pitched members against each other, ” the statement read in part.
The group stated that after a careful review of Osibote’s 13 months reign as president of OPC by the National Executive Committee, it was discovered that the image of the group had suffered greatly owing to lack of identity and total loss of faith by the public.
“This has further resulted in the loss of confidence in OPC by our traditional rulers and state governments in the South-west region.
“To this end, the National Executive Committee therefore decided to wield the axe by removing Osibote as president and nominate former Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi as the new president pending a total re-organisation of the body.”
Efforts to reach Osibote for his reaction as at the time of going to press was not successful.
