Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been given a serious warning by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). Two factional groups in the Yoruba organisation – New Era and Reformed OPC – gave the warning in a statement by their leaders, Razaq Aroundade (Reformed) and Dara Adesope (New Era).

“OPC is also committed to the promotion and furtherance of democratic principles in Nigeria. We will, as an organisation, support the entrenchment of democracy, rule of law and all the attributes of a sound democracy.”

“OPC also supports the genuine aspirations of all self-determination groups, which pursue their aims through non-violent means. The Constitution and several international charters, to which the country is a signatory, recognise the right to freedom of association by anybody, whether individual, corporate or institutional.”

“However, in supporting such agitations, we must not shy away from rebuking Nnamdi Kanu for the aspersions he has been casting in the direction of our referred leaders. Kanu’s repeated condemnations of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others, are condemned in the strongest possible terms. The idea of respect for elders is a fundamental part of the Yoruba culture and tradition and we cannot afford to overlook such transgressions.”

“We, therefore, use this medium to warn this irritant called Nnamdi Kanu and other such individuals, who are fond of making careless comments in relation to our leaders, that OPC will no longer sit back and allow disrespect of our leaders or to use them to score cheap political points.”