The Oodua People's Congress (OPC) was reportedly founded in early 1994 "following the annulment of the result of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and incarceration of its assumed winner, Chief Moshood Abiola" (

Post Express Wired

(1 Aug.1999).

Dr. Frederick Faseun, former chairman of the Ogun state chapter of Campaign for Democracy (CD), founded the OPC "to promote and defend" the interests of the Yorubas, and became its president (ibid.). The OPC has reportedly grown from a membership of about 400 people to approximately two million people in Nigeria and has branches in Britain, the United States and several European countries. It has retained its membership in the National Coalition for Democracy (NADECO) and has extended its membership to universities (ibid.). According to Post Express Wired,

OPC was organised in a cultic way with heavy reliance on Juju. Members, it was gathered, pass through a process of initiation after which they are 'equipped' to fight the war of freedom. Many babalawos were recruited to provide spiritual guidance and support for the organization. Prominent Yorubas and elders were appointed as patrons. Although some of the members were said to have introduced the use of modern weapons, the group still relies much on its traditional methods of prosecuting wars (ibid.)

The OPC is divided into two factions: one led by Dr. Faseun and the other by Ganiyu Adams, a 24-year old lawyer. Adam's faction is said to have "sacked Faseun as president for compromising the group's principled position," by collaborating with President Obasanjo, also a Yoruba. Adam's faction apparently advocates a separate Yoruba state (Post Express Wired 1 Aug. 1999). A 30 April 1999 P.M. report claims that Ganiyu Adams is the president of the Ooduwa Youth Movement (OYM). Adams reportedly calls for decentralisation of the current federal police force arguing that the police is dominated by members of one ethnic group and it will take no fewer than 20 years for any Yoruba man to attain the rank of Inspector-General.

The Post Express Wired further reports that the OPC has become a concern to the government because it has the support of the Yoruba political elite, who are giving "tactic support" to its leaders (1 Aug. 1999).

OPC's goal...tallied with that of Afenifere the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation. The two organisations, are canvassing for the creation of a true federal state. While the Afenifere through its political platform, the Alliance for Democracy is seeking for a creation of return to the 1960 constitution, the OPC is working in concerts with other groups in the Niger Delta region to force government to do the same" (ibid.).

The Post Express Wired alleges that the "rank and file" of the OPC are undisciplined and lawless, and that the OPC poses a danger to the nation because its members comprise "a large number of unemployed youths" (ibid.).

According to Post Express Wired, the OPC has allegedly had a "running battle" with the police who allege that it burned several police stations in Lagos and Ogun states (1 Aug. 1999). The OPC on the other hand, claims that the police have killed many of its members. Several clashes with police in many parts of Nigeria resulted in several deaths and destruction of property (ibid.; AFP 3 Apr. 1999; P.M. News 17 Mar. 1999; ibid., 3 Mar. 1999; ibid., 10 Nov. 1998). About 600 OPC members were reportedly arrested throughout Nigeria "by security operatives in the ongoing crackdown on the Oodua militants, following the series of confrontations between the police and members of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group" (P.M. News 17 Mar. 1999). In April 1999, 50 OPC militants reportedly attacked a police station in an effort to rescue its members who were arrested by the police on charges of possessing cocaine and hemp (ibid. 19 Apr. 1999)

A 26 May 1999 P.M. News report states that the Oodua Youth Movement (OYM) is one of the organisations that comprise the OPC (others being the Oodua People's Congress, Yoruba Parapo, Apapo Omo Oodua).

No reports on the OPC meeting in September 1998 and on the treatment of the members of the organization could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

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. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 3 April 1999. "Eight Killed in Clash with Police in Nigeria: Report." (NEXIS)

Post Express Wired [Ikeja]. 1 August 1999. Adeniyi Ojebisi and Bayo Muraina. "OPC: A Platform for a Regional Army." www.postexpresswired.com

P.M. News. [Lagos]. Gboyega Adeoye. 30 April 1999. "Yoruba Groups Want IG's Office Scrapped." (Africa News/NEXIS).

_____. Gabriel Orok. 19 April 1999. "Nigeria: 50 OPC Militants Attack Police Station." (Africa News/NEXIS)

____. 17 March 1999. Gboyega Adeoye. "Nigeria: 600 OPC Members Arrested." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 3 March 1999. Adetokunbo Fakeye. "Nigeria: Oodua Youth Attack Police in Ogun State." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 10 November 1998. "Police Boss Reads the Riot Act to Activists." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. September 1998.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. September 1998.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. September 1998.

West Africa [London]. September 1998.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)