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• OPC leader slams Gumi over disparaging remarks on Yoruba group
President, Reformed Oodua People’s Congress (OPC Reformed), Amb. Dare Adesope, has criticised Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over comments perceived as disparaging to the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, describing the cleric’s remarks as “irrational” and suggesting that he was “not in his right mind.”
The exchange followed a Facebook post by Gumi in which he drew a comparison between northern groups and organisations from other parts of the country. The cleric described the Arewa people as “civilised” and urged groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to emulate them.
Gumi wrote: “Arewa is civilised, IPOB and OPC if they still exist should take a lesson.” He did not provide further explanation for the statement.
It came shortly after the Eze Ndigbo in Kano State, Boniface Ndukwe, publicly highlighted the longstanding cordial relationship between the Igbo community and the people of Kano. A development that generated conversations about inter-ethnic relations and peaceful coexistence.
Adesope dismissed the cleric’s comparison as “baseless and offensive.” He argued: “OPC has, over the years, played a significant role in protecting the life, property, culture and heritage of the Yoruba people.
“It is unacceptable for a public figure of Gumi’s standing to make derogatory comments against an organisation with deep historical roots in the South West. His statement reflected poor judgment and amounted to an unnecessary attempt to ridicule a legitimate Yoruba organisation.
“It is unfortunate that Gumi could make such an irrational statement. Such comments can only come from someone who is not in his right mind. We reject every attempt to diminish the contributions and sacrifices of the Oodua People’s Congress.”
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He maintained that the OPC was founded to defend the collective interests of the Yoruba people and has continued to champion the preservation of the region’s cultural identity while contributing to community security:
“The organisation will not remain silent whenever its integrity is questioned. Inflammatory comments capable of creating ethnic tension should be avoided. The OPC is not an organisation that anyone should casually insult or attempt to discredit.
“We have remained committed to protecting Yoruba values and promoting peace within our communities. No individual should expect us to ignore statements that seek to undermine our credibility.”
He urged political, religious and community leaders to exercise caution in their public comments, particularly on sensitive issues involving ethnicity and regional organisations: “Nigeria’s diversity demands responsible leadership and careful communication capable of promoting unity rather than deepening existing divisions.”
Adesope called on well-meaning Nigerians to condemn statements capable of provoking unnecessary ethnic tensions, stressing that mutual respect among the country’s various groups remains essential for national cohesion.
The latest exchange has added to ongoing debates over ethnic relations and the role of socio-cultural organisations in Nigeria’s evolving political and security landscape, with observers urging restraint from influential public figures to prevent comments that could inflame regional sensitivities.
