The national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams has accused former Lagos state governor and leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, of supporting illegality and trying to create confusion among the Yoruba nation.
In an exclusive interview with Naij.com, the founder of the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU, said Mr Tinubu’s continuous support of illegality, personal attack on him and persons he perceived are getting popular and important than him would not make him a Yoruba leader.
“Leader of which people? Tinubu doesn’t need to support illegality, create confusion or bring the roof down if he desires such position. Awolowo did not destroy any group before he became Yoruba leader. If you are lucky to meet him Ikenne, he would sit with you for a thorough discussion. Baba Ajasin did not destroy any group before he became Yoruba leader; Baba Adesanya did not sponsor any group against another before he became Yoruba leader. Rather, he was a rallying point for every self-determination organisation. You did not need to have a portfolio or be popular to see baba at his office in Lagos Island.”
Speaking further on the recent letter written to Tinubu by some expelled OPC members stating their plans to displace Gani Adams as head of the OPC, he said he has dragged both the expelled OPC members and Tinubu to the court of public opinion.
“Who are the security agencies that Tinubu cannot buy. But public opinion will drive the people who should act to do so. That is why we spoke out. In countries where life matter, those individuals should not be in circulation now.
“And you should understand why one is not letting this matter lie low. How many high-profile political killings in this country have been resolved? Bola Ige, Funsho Williams, Saka Saula, Marshall Harry…the list is endless. Till date, nobody is in jail for these deaths
“Please ask him in because I personally want to know. This is not the first time he is after me. Since 2001, most of the people that left OPC were because they had Tinubu’s backing. He was behind Coalition of Self Determination Group, among others. My point is this: If there are those not comfortable in OPC, they are free to go and form their own group, not try to forcefully overthrow a constituted authority. In the South Africa struggle, it was not only ANC that was in existent, there were more than 28.
“And it is sad that Tinubu is playing god because he wields strong influence in Nigerian media. With the level he has attained in his life, why is he after people like us. Am I in court to challenge (Lagos Governor) Ambode’s victory? Or after the election, did I instigate former President Jonathan to contest President Buhari’s victory at the tribunal? Election has come and gone and we must move on but some people are still angry because we refused to support their candidate,” he told
Gani praised Nigerian online media for their professionalism and staying true to the tenets of journalism. He said:
“Honestly, I was not happy the way majority of the print media handled the threat by the expelled members and I want to appeal to them to stop playing down stories. Online is now our saviour because you people helped us push that issue to the limelight. Over a dozen persons signing what looks like a death warrant and editors of newspapers taking it as less news worthy.”
Gani Adams had also accused Tinubu of attempts to tarnish the image of the immediate past governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, over Fashola’s alleged ministerial appointment.
In an exclusive interview with Naij.com, the founder of the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU, said Mr Tinubu’s continuous support of illegality, personal attack on him and persons he perceived are getting popular and important than him would not make him a Yoruba leader.
“Leader of which people? Tinubu doesn’t need to support illegality, create confusion or bring the roof down if he desires such position. Awolowo did not destroy any group before he became Yoruba leader. If you are lucky to meet him Ikenne, he would sit with you for a thorough discussion. Baba Ajasin did not destroy any group before he became Yoruba leader; Baba Adesanya did not sponsor any group against another before he became Yoruba leader. Rather, he was a rallying point for every self-determination organisation. You did not need to have a portfolio or be popular to see baba at his office in Lagos Island.”
Speaking further on the recent letter written to Tinubu by some expelled OPC members stating their plans to displace Gani Adams as head of the OPC, he said he has dragged both the expelled OPC members and Tinubu to the court of public opinion.
“Who are the security agencies that Tinubu cannot buy. But public opinion will drive the people who should act to do so. That is why we spoke out. In countries where life matter, those individuals should not be in circulation now.
“And you should understand why one is not letting this matter lie low. How many high-profile political killings in this country have been resolved? Bola Ige, Funsho Williams, Saka Saula, Marshall Harry…the list is endless. Till date, nobody is in jail for these deaths
“Please ask him in because I personally want to know. This is not the first time he is after me. Since 2001, most of the people that left OPC were because they had Tinubu’s backing. He was behind Coalition of Self Determination Group, among others. My point is this: If there are those not comfortable in OPC, they are free to go and form their own group, not try to forcefully overthrow a constituted authority. In the South Africa struggle, it was not only ANC that was in existent, there were more than 28.
“And it is sad that Tinubu is playing god because he wields strong influence in Nigerian media. With the level he has attained in his life, why is he after people like us. Am I in court to challenge (Lagos Governor) Ambode’s victory? Or after the election, did I instigate former President Jonathan to contest President Buhari’s victory at the tribunal? Election has come and gone and we must move on but some people are still angry because we refused to support their candidate,” he told
Gani praised Nigerian online media for their professionalism and staying true to the tenets of journalism. He said:
“Honestly, I was not happy the way majority of the print media handled the threat by the expelled members and I want to appeal to them to stop playing down stories. Online is now our saviour because you people helped us push that issue to the limelight. Over a dozen persons signing what looks like a death warrant and editors of newspapers taking it as less news worthy.”
Gani Adams had also accused Tinubu of attempts to tarnish the image of the immediate past governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, over Fashola’s alleged ministerial appointment.
