Founded in 1994 (Post Express 1 Aug. 1999; ibid. 4 Aug. 1999), the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) is a Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, whose main objective was to promote and defend the interests of the Yorubas peoples (ibid.; P.M News 12 Nov. 1998; Radio Kudirat 15 Nov. 1998). At its foundation, the OPC executive caucus included notable members such as Dr. Fasheun-president, Chief Femi Orebote-assistant secretary, Dr. Beko Ramsome Kuti-treasurer, Delo Olalekan-financial secretary and Alhaji Oluwatoyin Jimoh- organizing secretary (Post Express 4 Aug. 1999). From about 200 members in 1994 (Post Express 1 Aug. 1999), the OPC counts now about two million members across the country (ibid.; ibid. 4 Aug. 1999).

However, following the incarceration in 1996 of the OPC leader, dissension appeared within the organization and another faction led by Ganiyu Adms emerged and "took a violent posture and unleashed terror on the security agents and even the public"(Post Express 1 Aug. 1999).

A 30 July 1999 Post Express article commented that "the OPC has become quite nihilistic in pursuit of whatever may be its vision for the Yoruba people on whose behalf its ostensible has perpetrated some of its recent excess. The leadership of the congress has obviously lost control to some young, misguided dare-devils, who have carried on as plain mustangs terrorising innocent citizens who, in their warped vision, are obstacles to their good whatever it is!"

According to a 25 March 1999 Nigeria News Network 1999, the OPC leader, Dr Fasheun himself admitted that "OPC has been known and identified by Nigerians as a violent organization". But he added that "the violence is caused by some miscreants within OPC who do not know the objectives" (ibid.).

Several 1998 and 1999 reports refer to arrests of many OCP members by the police after attacking, clashing with security forces or storming courts in order to free their colleagues (Nigeria News Network 18 Mar. 1999; ibid. 10 Mar. 1999; Post Express 1 Aug. 1999; P.M. News 17 Dec. 1997; ibid. 10 Dec. 1998).

Detailed information on the OPC, including the circumstances of its foundation, its fractionalization, its membership, its organization; its relations with Nigerian authorities and the police, its national and international connections can be found in the attachments from Post Express, a Nigerian newspaper.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Nigeria News Network. 25 March 1999. "Obasanjo Is Oodua People's Congress Member, Leader Reveals." http://www.nigerianews.net/cgi-local/getnewsArticle.cgi?id=385. [Accessed 24 Aug. 1999]

_____. 18 March 1999. "600 Oodua People Congress (OPC) Members Arrested." http://www.nigerianews.net/cgi-local/getnewsArticle.cgi?id=177. [Accessed 24 Aug. 1999].

_____. 10 March 1999. "Police, Oodua People's Congress Clash Again In Mushin." http://www.nigerianews.net/cgi-local/getnewsArticle.cgi?id=284. [Accessed 24 Aug. 1999].

P.M News [Lagos]. 17 December 1998. "Nigeria; Why We Withdrew From OPC's Defence-Gani." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 December 1998. "Nigeria; Today in Nigeria Newspapers." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 12 November 1998. Olanrewaju S.&Orok G. "Nigeria; Activist Goes Into Hiding." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 4 Aug. 1999. Obayagbon H. "OPC: Drawing a Line in the Sand." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...78d7a?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, opc. [Accessed 25 Aug. 1999]

_____. 1 August 1999. Ojebisi A, Muraina B. "OPC Platform for a Regional Army." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...314?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, oodua. [Accessed 25 Aug. 1999]

_____. 30 July 1999. "The OPC Mustangs." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...cfb?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, oodua. [Accessed 24 Aug. 1999]

Radi Kudirat (Voice of Democracy) [Nigeria, in English]. 13 November 1998. "Police Manhunt for Separatist Yoruba Group leader Under Way." (BBC Summary 15 Nov. 1998/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 4 Aug. 1999. Obayagbon H. "OPC: Drawing a Line in the Sand." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...78d7a?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, opc. [Accessed 25 Aug. 1999], p. 5.

_____. 1 August 1999. Ojebisi A, Muraina B. "OPC Platform for a Regional Army." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...314?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, oodua. [Accessed 25 Aug. 1999], p. 6.