OPC leader, Adesope urges peace, tolerance ahead of Iseyin Oro festival, election
The President of the Oodua People’s Congress Reformed (OPC-R), Ambassador Dare Adesope, has called on indigenes and residents of Iseyin, Oyo State, to embrace peace, tolerance and mutual respect as the community prepares for the forthcoming Oro Festival and election.
Adesope made the appeal while addressing members of the organisation on ongoing activities surrounding the Oro Festival in Iseyin.
He noted that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom to belong to and practise a religion of their choice, stressing that Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers should regard themselves as one people united by their common heritage and interest in the development of Iseyin.
According to him, Oro is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Iseyin and should be approached with mutual respect, understanding and tolerance.
He urged residents not to allow religious or cultural differences to create division, but to promote peaceful coexistence and unity within the community.
Speaking on the forthcoming election, Adesope also encouraged all eligible citizens to participate peacefully and responsibly by exercising their civic rights.
He expressed concern over voter apathy, noting that where millions of registered voters exist but only a fraction eventually cast their ballots, the issue deserves serious attention.
Adesope therefore urged registered voters to come out and vote, saying that citizens should make informed choices in accordance with their conscience and constitutional rights.
He further assured residents that relevant security stakeholders were committed to maintaining peace and protecting voters, electoral officials and other participants throughout the electoral process.
He said OPC-R, working within the law and in coordination with appropriate authorities, was prepared to support a peaceful and orderly election in areas where it has a lawful presence.
Adesope appealed to all stakeholders to reject ballot-box snatching, intimidation, violence, disruption of polling activities and other forms of electoral misconduct.
“ Iseyin belongs to all of us. Let us protect our culture, respect our religious differences, maintain peace, and work together for the progress of our community and our country,” he said.
