The President, Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, says no amount of blackmail will stop the congress from resuscitating the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
Fasehun said this on Monday in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
He also urged politicians not to make comments which are capable of heating up the South-West geo-political zone.
Fasehun lamented the recent comments credited to a political party on the resuscitation of UPN founded by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasehun was the Chairman of the Committee for the Resuscitation of UPN.
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In his statement however, Fasehun said the “UPN is an idea whose time has come. And no amount of blackmail will stop it.
“Those resuscitating UPN are committed to the legendary ideals of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which always made the human person the centre piece of government policy. Like Awo, they are committed to the delivery of free, qualitative and affordable education and healthcare. We know how far they can go.''
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Fasehun debunked insinuations that OPC had bagged a monthly N2.4 billion pipeline protection contract.
He said he had earlier addressed the press on the intention of OPC to stem pipeline vandalisation in the South West.
“OPC was only toeing the line of private security agencies formed by militants in the Niger-Delta who secured pipeline-protection contracts in their area. Equity and Federal Character dictate we should get a similar contract.
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“And unlike the billions of Naira rampantly stolen from state allocations by politicians in authority in this part of the world, the pipeline contract will feed tens of thousands of families.
“Unfortunately, the Federal Government is yet to reply to our proposal, although we have been to Abuja to defend our proposal at several interviews,’’ Fasehun explained.
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He said the congress had in October 2010 furnished the Federal Government with a comprehensive proposal to provide security for petroleum pipelines in the South-West.
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The OPC president said this was in the wake of various incidents of pipeline vandalisation and oil theft.
“Nigeria loses a significant chunk of its revenue to pipeline vandals, apart from the social dislocation and loss of lives and properties resulting from vandalised pipelines. Everyone knows that OPC has the network, commitment and discipline to render this legitimate and patriotic service to protect pipelines.
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“Not only will it provide jobs for about 30,000 Nigerians, it will satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians that oil be produced and pumped through local refineries and pipelines in order to guarantee a reasonable pump price,’’ he said.(NAN)
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