O'odua People's Congress and the Changes in Nigeria's Political and Security Structures

This article gives an overview of the origin, founders, memberships and geographical coverage of the O'odua People's Congress (OPC). Also addressed are the impact of the OPC on the political and security structures and why the OPC continues to wield power as an ethnic movement in southwest Nigeria. Even following the collapse of the Babangida and Abacha military regimes—due to protests, international pressure and the latter's death—the OPC retains a significant amount of social power in Yorubaland. Its support is maintained through the provision of informal ‘security services’ to individuals, groups and communities, who consider the Nigeria Police to be an ineffective body in the protection of lives and property of people. While the OPC influences the re-establishment of democratic governance, shifts in regional power and the security set-up in Nigeria, it also creates social disorder and abuses human rights.