By Oludamisi Ojo
Consequent to massive killings at a Church in Owo, Ondo State last Sunday, causing the death of several worshippers, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), has expressed readiness to work with conventional security outfits to protect the Southwest region.

The OPC in Ekiti had deployed its men in strategic places across the state to tackle criminal elements perpetrating killings and kidnapping.

The Pan-Yoruba organization, OPC, Ekiti State chapter, yesterday mobilized organization support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the June 18 poll, Biodun Oyebanji.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the inauguration of the OPC new executive in Ekiti State, on Wednesday, the National President of the Pan-Yoruba organization, Prince Ogboni Osibote, said the body had recommended to the Southwest governors how the herdsmen and other criminals could be tackled.

Osibote said the leadership of the body had interfaced with the governors of the region to partner with the body to be able to work with other security personnel to maintain the security of lives and property.

According to him, “The OPC is for Yoruba and it was formed to protect the interest of Yoruba. But politicians are causing a lot of problems for us. Those in government knew what was happening. They wanted to destabilize the organization for their own selfish interest by dividing us.

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“But we can’t allow our people to be killed, we are going to help. The goverment must engage us, but they should let us know their agenda. Nobody has the interest of Yoruba more than us.

“We have seen the governors of Ekiti and Ondo States and we have recommended what they needed to do to curb these senseless attacks . It is now left to them to take appropriate steps. Our government must be on their feet”.

Also speaking at the programme, the leader of the Pan-Yoruba body, Chief Niyi Adedipe, said the body has strengthened its security forces to be able to help the conventional security networks to tame the marauding herdsmen and other criminals in the state.

Adedipe, a former State Chairman of the socio-cultural organisation, said the body had despatched its men in all the strategic and flashpoints in the state to ward off criminals that are killing and kidnapping the people.

Adedipe, who convened the programme held alongside inauguration of the OPC’s new executive in Ekiti State, said the ruling party remains the best vehicle that can convey Nigerians to the promised land.

He described Oyebanji as an astute and highly experienced individual , who has the qualities to galvanise the democracy dividends to the people and consolidate on the gains already laid by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Adedipe said the ruling party has been according the party recognition and that accounted for why the national body of OPC , led by its National President, Prince Ogboni Adedipe, mobilised to Ekiti to support APC.
He said: “Biodun Oyebanji is my Inlaw and the OPC all over Nigeria is mobilising for him to be able to win this election.

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“It is not just that I am supporting him for being my in law, but I know that he is competent and highly experienced to meet the yearnings of the people.

“The APC remains the only vehicle that can bring development. It is the only vehicle that can bring peace and stamp out poverty from our land.

“The OPC was doing this because of the recognition we have been getting from the APC, no party can do that . So, we are determined to mobilise support for him”.

Adedipe charged all his members across the state to begin aggressive mobilisation for Oyebanji, for the APC’s victory to be resounding in the poll.