Nigerians React As Family Of Late OPC Founder Protests-Omission From June-12 Heroes List

Nigerians React As Family Of Late OPC Founder Protests-Omission From June-12 Heroes List

The family of the Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Isiotan Fasehun, has protested the omission of their late patriarch from the list of June 12 heroes mentioned in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day broadcast.

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) also expressed disappointment, stating that the late environmentalist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa should have been honored similarly to Chief MKO Abiola.

In a statement issued in Lagos by the late OPC Founder’s son, Mr. Remi Fasehun, the family described the omission of Dr. Fasehun as uncharitable, ungrateful, and unpardonable. “The President was a direct beneficiary of our father’s activism and sacrifice for democracy. Not only were they in the trenches together, but the late Fasehun also helped Tinubu to escape into exile,” the statement read.

The family highlighted Dr. Fasehun’s significant contributions, noting his efforts in aiding several activists, including Pa Anthony Enahoro, to escape via the NADECO Route. Dr. Fasehun endured multiple imprisonments under the General Sani Abacha regime, which severely impacted his health.

In Port Harcourt, MOSOP’s Publicity Secretary, Saviour Oscar, criticized the President for not acknowledging the sacrifices of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni patriots. “It is very sad that Mr. President did not recognise or make mention of the struggle of the Ogoni heroes, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others, who laid down their lives for the rights of the indigenous people,” Oscar stated.

MOSOP emphasized the significant contributions of the Ogoni people to Nigeria’s GDP and expressed discontent with the continued neglect of their heroes. The statement lamented, “It is still a painful experience for the people of Ogoni that we lost a generation of industrious sons who contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria at large. It is painful and very worrisome…”

The family’s and MOSOP’s grievances highlight ongoing concerns about the recognition of various contributors to Nigeria’s democracy.