OPC Leadership War: Akinpelu rejects expulsion

A leadership crisis has worsened in the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) New Era, as Adesina Akinpelu rejected claims that he has been expelled from the group.

He described the decision as illegal and against the organization’s constitution.
Akinpelu said he is still a national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group.

According to him, the National Executive Council (NEC) led by Rasaq Arogundade Balogun, also known as “Sadam,” no longer has the authority to remove him from the organization.

He explained that the NEC which announced his expulsion stopped existing on December 12, 2025, when its eight-year term ended according to the group’s constitution.

Akinpelu, who previously served as the National Publicity Secretary in that NEC, said Balogun refused to step down after the tenure expired.

He said a caretaker committee should have been set up to manage the organization until a new NEC is elected.

He accused Balogun of trying to remain in power and causing tension within the group.

Akinpelu also said the issue was reported to the Department of State Services in Lagos. The matter was also taken to the police at the Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos.

According to him, the police invited members involved in the dispute and asked them to sign an agreement promising to keep the peace across Lagos and other Yoruba states while investigations continue.

However, Akinpelu said that before the police finished their investigation, Balogun and the secretary of the dissolved NEC, Bayo Oyename, announced his expulsion without consulting the Elders’ Council.

He argued that according to the OPC New Era constitution, only the Elders’ Council has the authority to discipline or remove leaders of the organization.
Because of this, Akinpelu said the decision to expel him is invalid and will not stand.

He also accused Balogun of planning actions that could lead to violence in the group, even though senior leaders had agreed that the leadership dispute should be resolved peacefully.

The crisis continues as members of the organization wait for the police investigation results and a possible solution to the leadership conflict.