RECONCILE DANIEL, BANKOLE, FASEHUN TASKS YORUBA ELDERS

Founder and President of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun has urged Yoruba elders to reconcile two of their sons, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.

The two Yoruba sons, who appeared to be sworn enemies caused uproar recently at the commissioning of a bridge in Otta. Fasehun, who felt uncomfortable with the ugly event, feared that, 'the altercation at the event could give room for a security breach, which could have endangered the lives of the speaker himself, the governor, the Federal Minister and other agents of the state present on the occasion.'

Against this background, the OPC boss, 'on behalf of the Yoruba people tendered an unreserved apology to Senator Ibrahim Daggash and assured him that what happened that day was far from Yoruba character,' stating that 'Yoruba are hospitable people, revere dignitaries, honour seniority and appreciate visitors.'

According to Fasehun, 'Bankole would still need the support of men like Otunba Daniel and Senator Daggash, advising that 'none of the pressures of and his deportment in his present office must be allowed to rob him of a very bright and promising future as Nigerians were watching and all this will count one day.'

The real problem I see in the Ota drama, Fasehun continued, 'is the danger it portends for 2011,' fearing that 'if learned and highly-placed officers of the state can descend to squabbling in full public glare, what will happen when politics enters full swing and their unlearned and uncouth supporters face one another on the campaign trail?'

He then admonished that 'this fire for fire in Ogun State politics must stop,' saying 'it is not only embarrassing to our people, it is endangering to their lives.' If they have any differences, the OPC boss advised that both of them should make room for amicable settlement since both of them have displayed a passionate zeal for the welfare of their native state.