In the heart of Offa’s cultural identity lies the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU)—a symbol of unity, tradition, and collective progress.
For 90 years, ODU has stood tall as an umbrella body championing the socio-cultural and developmental aspirations of all sons and daughters of Offa, both at home and in the diaspora.
However, recent developments, particularly the decision of the current leadership of the ODU National Headquarters under Alhaji Muideen Olaniyi Azeez Salako, raise serious concerns about the Union’s apolitical stance.
It is troubling and deeply disappointing that the revered ODU Hall—an institution built for communal cohesion and socio-cultural advancement—was used to host a political stakeholders’ meeting organized by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following their lockout from the party Secretariat yesterday. While the ingenuity of elected representatives in navigating political hurdles is not in question, the use of the ODU Hall as an alternative political venue is not only inappropriate but also dangerous to the non-partisan values that the Union has historically stood for.
ODU is not a political tool. It is not and must never become a substitute for any political party’s office, nor should it be dragged into partisan struggles. To do so is to risk eroding the trust and unity that have been painstakingly built over generations.
Let us be reminded that the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU)—an equally historic body with significant ties to governmental development—has never permitted any political party to use its facilities for partisan events. This is not merely tradition; it is a principled stance designed to preserve institutional integrity and neutrality. That is why the IEDPU remains respected, unblemished by political biases, and continues to enjoy broad-based support across all divides.
The ODU should never be different.
Historically, ODU has resisted every attempt to be politicized. It was this unshakable resolve that enabled the Union to survive past political storms, including the September 21 Chairmanship Election of 2024 and tense aftermath of the tragic April 5, 2018 robbery incident. In these two instances, the Union remained firm, issuing clear and measured statements, calling for justice—not politics. That moral compass, that legacy of measured leadership, must not be lost on the altar of expedience.
The use of the ODU Hall for political purposes not only blurs the lines between communal service and partisanship, but it also sets a dangerous precedent that can polarize the community.
If the Union begins to tilt towards one political leaning—willingly or otherwise—it risks alienating a significant portion of the very population it was created to serve.
We, therefore, call on the leadership of the ODU under Alhaji Muideen Olaniyi Azeez Salako to issue a public clarification and reaffirm the Union’s non-partisan mandate.
More importantly, we urge the leadership to put in place strict guidelines that will prevent the use of ODU facilities for any political meeting or campaign activity in the future.
Let it be known that our ancestors built the ODU on the foundations of unity, culture, and communal progress—not on political opportunism.
It is a sacred trust that must be preserved at all costs. In the words of our cherished motto, Laare Buure—let us return to the path of fairness, equity, and peace.
Offa must not be divided by politics. ODU must not be used to draw the line.
Tajudeen Hammed Anderson
PDP Vice Chairman, Balogun Ward, Offa LG, Kwara State
