The new Aare Ona Kakanfo of
Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Tuesday, said he would use his new
position to promote the Yoruba culture and fight the cause of the Yoruba
race.....
Describing himself as a fighter, Adams,
who is the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, added
that he would reach out to a former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, and other Yoruba leaders. The OPC leader said this in Lagos
while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday.
Adams stated that though he was not as
wealthy as the immediate past holder of the title, the late Chief M. K.
O. Abiola, whom he said he had a high regard for, he was ready to use
his structure to advance the socio-cultural cause of the Yoruba.
“I am not as wealthy as the last Aare Ona Kakanfo, but the structure I have today with six million followers is something that cannot be wished away.
“I am going to be a bridge-builder and
promote the unity of the Yoruba race. I will reach out to people who
will help to move the Yoruba race. I am going to reach out to Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Yoruba leaders,” Adams said.
He said contrary to popular belief, the title was not a death knell for anybody chosen as the Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“Most men given the title were war generals. The myth that all the Aare Ona Kakanfo ended in tragedy is not true. We shouldn’t allow such a myth to cast a shadow on the good office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“I am a fighter. You must understand
that death is a product of God. I have been fighting for many years and
will work to promote the Yoruba agenda,” he added.
Adams also spoke about age not being a factor to be considered for the title.
“I am 47 years old. Chiefs Ladoke
Akintola and M. K. O. Abiola were in their 40s when they were honoured. I
am not too young to be the new Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun
Obasanjo were younger when they assumed positions of leadership; Gowon
was in his 30s and Obasanjo was in his 40s,” the Aare Ona Kakanfo said.
He, however, said he would moderate his radicalism.
Adams added, “My new position will
moderate my radicalism, but it will not make me to compromise my
principles. Let me also mention that the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi was
always referring to me as generalissimo; I never paid much attention to
that.
“I never lobbied to become the Aare Ona Kakanfo. When people felt I should be the next one, I had to consult widely; both intellectually and spiritually.
“My wife was afraid when I told her. It took me time to convince her that the position is not synonymous with death.
“I eventually wrote to the Alaafin of Oyo to indicate my interest in the position. The rest today is history.”
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