Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the passing of the founder of Oodua Progressive Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, saying that the country has lost a major pillar of her democratic struggles.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the late OPC leader as an accomplished professional and a committed patriot who devoted his life to the struggle for the enthronement of democracy and good governance as well as in defence of the people’ s rights.
Fayemi recalled his relationship with the late OPC founder, describing him as a Yorubaman par excellence, a patriot who loved his race and country and did everything humanly possible to ensure that his people were free from tyranny and oppression.
Fayemi said: “We have lost another strong pillar of our democratic struggles. Dr Fasehun would do anything to defend the rights of his people against any act of tyranny and oppression.
“Dr Fasehun fought a good fight as a frontline leader in the struggle for the democracy we now enjoy. He challenged and encouraged many of the younger generation with the way he fought for democracy with all his energy and resources.
“We shall surely miss his amiable personality, simplicity, wisdom and courage.
“But we are encouraged by the fact that Dr Fasehun fought a good fight and left behind a good name and a legacy of selfless service that is worthy of emulation. This we believe should a source of consolation to the children and the entire family.
“Our prayer is that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant Baba eternal rest, ” the statement added.
Also, the umbrella body of all Self Determination Groups in Nigeria, the G9, has declared a month-long mourning to celebrate the passage of Fasehun.
In a statement by the Convener of G9, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, the Jagun Oodua of the Source, G9 described the transition of Fasehun “at this critical moment of Nigeria’s evolution as a great tragedy particularly to the Yoruba race and all apostles of Restructuring of the Nigerian polity”.
“It is recalled with nostalgia that no serious and concerted effort was made to free the Yoruba nation from internal colonisation since the historic foundation of Agbekoya by Tafa Adeoye in 1967 until Frederick Fasehun, a medical doctor and resourceful revolutionary, founded the OPC in 1993.
“The OPC, under the studied guidance and leadership of Fasehun and his foot soldiers, wrestled the draconian regime of General Abacha to the ground. Fasehun worked tirelessly with NADECO and he was credited with spiriting legendary Anthony Enahoro out of the country in those troubled days.
“Fasehun gave everything to the struggle for the protection and emancipation of the Yoruba country and spent years in prison as a price for the struggle.
“G9 sends condolences to the Aare Onakakanfo Gani Adams who was comrade-in-arms, and to all hundreds of thousands of the OPC footsoldiers.
“We commiserate with his wife and family as well as all Royal Fathers particularly the Oonirisa, the Alaafin and the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom.
“Yoruba race has lost a trustworthy hero. The Yoruba nation has lost a selfless defender. The Yoruba country has lost a visionary protector. May Olodumare and all the Orisas of the Yoruba race receive his soldiering spirit and may all his struggles translate into victory for our nation”.
