The initiator of OASIS Women Organisation, Erelu Mojisola Adams, is the wife of the factional leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI and OKORIE UGURU, she talks about the truth, the lies and the myths surrounding her husband.
What were you doing before you met Otunba Gani Adams?
That was 14 or 15 years ago. I had just finished from Kwara State Polytechnic. We met during his campaign for Obaship. First of all, I didn’t know he was the Gani Adams they were talking about, because I was not conversant with Lagos issues. Then, I was always shuttling between Osogbo and Ilorin. I didn’t know anything about OPC. I didn’t know he was an OPC chieftain. I met him just like a normal person and we discussed. I noticed that he talked more about Yoruba history. I am a good listener, especially to things like that.
That was how we met, and it was just a platonic thing. We were just friends. He came visiting my other friends. He would come, call me and talk to me. It went like that for three to five months before he approached me and I told him that I had someone I was dating. But he kept coming. After a while, something just happened and the chemistry worked out.
It was later I got to hear from somebody that he was the Gani Adams everyone was talking about and had been declared wanted by Okiro (the then Lagos State Commissioner of Police). It wasn’t funny. I couldn’t back out at that time because it would look like I betrayed him. I just had to hold my head and hands up and start praying. I didn’t know that OPC was like this. Being a humble person, he was always by himself and some of his boys. He was always doing things on his own. I had not seen the crowd, the people behind him. They told me he had the power to disappear and do things in flesh and blood. I asked him about it and he asked me, ‘Have you ever seen me with blood?’
I have not seen him going round with charms all over his body. He prays in both Muslim and Christian ways. He was just like two different beings. My friends would ask me, ‘What are you doing with this man? He can disappear.’ We were not calling him Otunba; we called him GA. Because my friend told me that if he moved close to the wall, he would disappear, I always asked him to move close to the wall. He would not know why I was asking him to do so. Out of curiosity, I would give him the Bible, because I felt he would not be able to pronounce Jesus. But I found that all the things they were saying about him were just stories and myths.
The day he was arrested, he was taking me down to WAEC office, because they told us to submit the originals of our certificates. I was in his car when he was arrested. I was in in the front seat while my friend was at the back with his P.A. He just told me that if he tried to escape, something might happen to us.
When they asked him, ‘Who are you?’ He said Gani Adams. They asked him again, he said yes. He entered their car by himself. Then he said, ‘Moji, you have to go down.’ He said if he wanted to run, 10 policemen could not hold him. But because he didn’t want anything to happen to us, he would surrender himself and we should just go.
I was there. He walked into the police station himself. He told them that he was Gani Adams. They first stepped back and later reinforced. I didn’t go with them immediately. I just crossed the road to the other side. They searched the car and there was nothing inside the car.
But in the evening, I was surprised to see series of guns, charms and amulets. Then some days later, I was shocked when Tell magazine used him on their cover with handcuffs. They said he turned into goat, he turned into cat and they had to call witchdoctor to neutralise his power. I said to myself, this is how people frame things. But I couldn’t talk. What would I say? That I was there?
They asked ladies about the man called Gani Adams and they all said, ‘God forbid! He is deadly. He is evil. I was even shaking, asking, ‘Is this the man I’m about to get married to? I hope I’m not in a trap. But this guy is not like that now.’ Lo and behold, after two years, ladies were coming all over him. Now he is a good man. That is life for you. That is a little of my experience with him.
Was his persistence a factor in your decision to enter a relationship with him?
The only thing I can say about that is this: I’m from a very strict Christian home. To be precise, my mum was a prophetess. Then after five months of our courtship, he was arrested. I felt if I was to back out, it would be like betrayal. That was one of the factors that really helped me. I just couldn’t move because he was in a problem, and it was because he was taking me out that he was arrested.
Also the type of person he was. He was very reserved. Then, we used to stay together. We used to eat together. I think his attitude towards life. I wouldn’t say he is a lavish person, but he believes so much in responsibilities.
How do you cope with the crowds in your house?
Sincerely, it is not easy. The way I planned my life is not the way I’m living it. But thank God for his grace. The reason is this: one, our house is always full of people. If I am to place this thing here, the next thing you meet it that way. I don’t want to be seen as being pesky or bully.
At times we might be at home for 24 hours and we might not sit down and talk for one minute. At times I would tell myself I’m married but still single. There was a time my child was telling me, ‘Mummy, you’re the only one taking us to this place. See other people. What of my dad? I said go and tell him.
There are lives I’m being denied of, but there is nothing I can do about it because of the kind of person I’m married to. It is just a fate. I just have to accept it.
The man is in the limelight while you are at the background. How do you cope?
I have my own NGO that I’m running, basically on widows and children. Most times when they are going for the festivals, being a cultural and traditional thing, I do give that space. But if there are events they are spending two, three days outside, no. But it is not as if I want to stay at home all the time. I do go out with him at times.
As someone from a very strict Christian background, how do you handle the issue of religion at home?
He is a Muslim by birth, but he practices Christianity because of his mum. His dad is a Muslim. The mum is late, but she was a Christian, a prayer warrior in the church. He is used to that. He practices more of Christianity than Islam. But he leans more towards Christianity.
You mean your husband is a Christian?
No. What I’m trying to say is that he practices the three. To be sincere with you, he believes in his culture. He does not joke with Jesus. When I pray in Yoruba and I say Jesu, he would say add Baba, don’t just call the name. Respect the name. He calls Jesus with reverence. At times if he is sleeping and anything happens, the first thing Otunba says is Jesus Christ! I’m telling you. But I wouldn’t say he is not entrenched in his tradition. Everybody knows that he does not joke with Yoruba culture and tradition.
How romantic is Otunba Gani Adams?
(Pauses) If I’m to rate Otunba on that, maybe I will give him 30 over 100. Maybe by the time I score him like that he will change.
You must have heard so many things about Otunba outside that are not true. Who in your opinion is Otunba Gani Adams?
Because he is a blunt person, he is not that diplomatic in nature. If he sees something that is black, he will tell you it is black. Once Otunba is working with you, he won’t turn back and disappoint you because of money.
