Indigenes of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, have resolved to resolve the crisis rocking the Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), the umbrella body of all indigenous groups, clubs and associations in Osogbo.
As part of moves to resolve the crisis, a retired high court judge in the state, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, has been appointed as the chairman of the OPU National Reconciliation and Caretaker Committee, saddled with the task of settling the crisis and conduct fresh election within 12 months.
OPU crisis started six years ago as a result of leadership tussle, which factionalised Osogbo indigenes and weakened the union’s structures owing to legal battles among contenders.
Many Osogbo indigenes said the crisis denied them a lot of opportunities and that the ancient city also missed several developmental opportunities within the period.
The reconciliatory move has received the support and blessing of Osogbo elders and major stakeholders.
The indigenes of Osogbo who attended a meeting conveyed by Adeigbe-led committee unanimously agreed that OPU should be reactivated to play its role as a rallying point for unity and progress of Osogbo.
The senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Basiru Ajibola, and the president of Osogbo Club 079, Alhaji Mustapha Oyegbade, said amicable resolution of the crisis is the best way to handle the matter in the interest of peace, development and stability in Osogbo.
The former president of Osogbo National Students Union (ONSU), Comrade Badmus Akeem, said a community leader in Osogbo, Alhaji Nuniru Raji, urged the Adeigbe-led committee to ensure that OPU is fully and properly restored to its original status going forward.
The vice chairman of OPU National Caretaker Reconciliation Committee, Alhaji Abdulateef Olayanju, commended participants at the meeting for their maturity and assured that the outcome of the efforts would be fruitful.
The high point of the meeting was the motion moved by Mr Adediran from Lalemi compound that OPU remains the apex body and should be fully reactivated and energized as the umbrella body of all indigenous groups and associations in Osogbo.
The motion was seconded by Mr Adekunle from Montanmi compound and was accepted and endorsed by the meeting.
Top Osogbo indigenes at the meeting include the former president of OPU, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus; pioneer president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Taiwo Hassan Sunmonu; former deputy speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Alhaji Akintunde Adegboye, among others.
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