The Oodua Progressives Care-Initiative (OPCI) has said it will mobilise support for any political party or candidate that is committed to the restructuring of the country in the forthcoming presidential election.
The socio-cultural organisation also vowed to support a presidential candidate that will implement a full blown federal system of government in the country.
The group made this known during its maiden National Coordinating Council (NCC) meeting that was held at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin on Tuesday.
OPCI broke away from the Gani Adams led faction of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shun partisanship during the general election.
The National President of the group, Dr Maruf Olanrewaju who said the Gani Adams faction of the OPC has been outlawed by the federal government said OPCI has complied with all known statutory requirements and has been fully registered by the federal government at the CAC in Abuja with the appropriate agencies of other states within the Nigeria federation.
He said OPCI has presence in core Yoruba states and has spread its tentacles to major northern and southern states of Niger, Kogi, Abuja, Kaduna, Sokoto and Plateau among others.
All the state coordinators from Edo, Niger, Kogi, Abuja, Kaduna, Osun, Bayelsa, Ondo and Sokoto states attended and mobilised members to the event.
“In OPCI, we believe in good governance and rule of law. Over the years, we have been calling for a structural repositioning of Nigeria and for a full blown federal system of government that will allow the state to be independent of any form of federal hegemony.
“As an organisation, we have resolved to partner with and support any party or presidential candidate that is determined and committed to these lofty ideas. We have high stake and a big role to play before, during and after the forthcoming election.
“Haven careful monitored their manifestoes and listen to promises of all political parties and their aspirants, we have concluded that OPCI as a progressive minded organisation know for peaceful co-existence of the people of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria as a whole at all times remain resolute to ensure that our people leave in peace and harmony.
‘We therefore enjoined all the youths and women and everyone to come out and vote the candidates of their choice as all will be protected from any form of molestation from any quarters.
He called on INEC to rise above impartiality by ensuring that the elections are not only free and fair but accepted by all parties and stakeholders.
He further warned members of the organisation not to get involved or be allowed to be used as instrument of violence or instability.
He said the organisation which was launched on September 24th, 2017 in Ile-Ife with on four states of Kwara, Osun, Ondo and Edo states has spread to more than seventeen states within a year in the country and assured that it will go round the country before the end of the year.
