When does the past end? When does the present begin? These posers are pertinent as the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, on January 13, stepped into a new role as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. The new generalissimo of the Yoruba people was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at an elaborate event at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo. It was the climax of intense preparations that followed the choice of Adams for the centuries-old traditional title last October.
There is no doubt that Adams comes to the position with a past. The ultimate challenge for him on the new stage must be how to make the present new.
My enduring picture of Adams comes from August 21, 2015, when he made an ego-serving entrance at the finale of the Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Osun State. When Adams arrived with his circle of boisterous followers, they caused quite a stir. Whip-wielding noisemakers disruptively created a path for Adams as he approached the sacred River Osun to announce his presence. He witnessed the unruliness of his men and encouraged it by his silence. It was an unflattering drama. His group was listed among “Partners” on the cover of the festival programme; the others were MTN, Goldberg, Seaman’s Royale, IOD, Kasapreko Alomo Bitters. The group’s emblem bore his name, suggesting that Gani Adams is OPC and OPC is Gani Adams.
Another picture from March 16, 2015: On that day, OPC stood for Operation Public Chaos as the self-identified defender and promoter of Yoruba interests demonstrated that it had not only sold its soul for filthy lucre but also lost its collective mind. Members of Adams’ OPC faction took their militancy to heights that mirrored a disturbing depth of degeneration.
In an unprecedented demonstration of desperation ahead of the general election that year, members of the group terrorised Lagos disguised as political protesters. A report at the time said: “The two pamphlets distributed by the protesters had 7 reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan must continue in office and 7 reasons why Prof Attahiru Jega, the INEC boss, must go on terminal leave and be replaced with a credible administrator before the elections.”
It was a message of force by forceful messengers. According to a report: “The protesters got traffic stuck for hours, smashed cars, harassed motorists and disrupted business in many parts of the city. They destroyed banners and campaign billboards of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.”
Who was behind the bedlam? A subsequent eye-opening disclaimer said: “We, the members of the National Coordinating Council of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, the highest ruling body of the organisation, wish to disassociate ourselves from the shameful, destructive, violent and reactionary activities of the Gani Adams-led team which occurred in Lagos today.” The statement added: “What was witnessed in Lagos was the highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the Jonathan government.”
It is noteworthy that the police had declared Adams wanted in 2000 for his group’s alleged violent ways. He was arrested in August 2001 but released after detention in prisons in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja.
The past remains the past. The question is whether the past will remain in the past. It is interesting that Adams, 47, spoke with a sense of the present at his inauguration. Adams said: “I want to assure everyone that as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, I will use my position, God willing, to protect the interest of our land… The journey has started from here. And my first appeal goes to Yoruba sons and daughters who are outside the shores of the country not to forget that there is no place like home. This was what informed the formation of the Oodua Progressives Union, Gani Adams Foundation and Olokun Festival Foundation. Please, see Yorubaland as the place to be. Don’t give the race a bad name. Come home and invest.”
Adams should heed his own advice. Hopefully, he will not give the race a bad name in his new position. He also said: “As the 15th Aare Ona Kakanafo, I consider myself lucky that there is no war at hand confronting the Yoruba race now. In other words, we are living in peace time. However, I am not pleased with the level of Yoruba unity today and I am very concerned. Therefore, my greatest priority is the unity of the Yoruba race at home and in the Diaspora. I will, therefore, spare no effort in ensuring the unity of Yoruba race within the contemporary Nigeria body polity.”
It was a bubbly occasion, and Adams got enthusiastic. He added: “To take the journey further, I will, after this inauguration, launch the Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation. This will further promote the culture of the people and document the history of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title.” It is easy to talk about cultural promotion, but difficult to be a cultural ambassador. The Aare Ona Kakanfo title is a cultural title, and it remains to be seen how Adams intends to launch a Foundation with this name without suggesting a personalisation of the title.
It is easy to notice Adams’ sense of importance and influence based on his new title. He is entitled to his illusions as well as his disillusionment. He is likely to learn sooner rather than later that his title does not automatically make him relevant. He was quoted as saying: “My second appeal as the Aare Ona Kakanfo goes to the Federal Government to attend to some of the major roads in Yorubaland that are critical to its citizens. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta. To our esteemed Governors in the South-West, I call for cooperation, no matter the party line. The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission should be empowered. And I want you all to see me as a partner in progress. I offer myself for service once it is for the advancement of the Yoruba race. The various groups in the South-West should also resolve their crises.”
After his inauguration, it is time for Adams to demonstrate that he appreciates the need to work on his public image. It is said that a leopard can’t change its spots. Can Adams prove this saying wrong?
