Presidency 2023: OPC leader, Gani Adams, accuses Tinubu of using Yoruba to pursue personal ambition

The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, leader of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), had in a media interaction chided the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, accusing the former Lagos State governor of using the Yoruba nation to promote his personal political ambition to the detriment of the southwest. He had stated that the APC presidential candidate has never promoted the Yoruba agenda, nor identify with the Yoruba cultural associations.

Adams had recalled that the Afenifere supported Tinubu to become Governor of Lagos State in 1999, noting that the moment he won the election, he infiltrated and split the Afenifere, creating a faction he intended to control.

According to Iba Adams: “How can you claim to be a Yoruba leader or love Yoruba when you have never been part of any socio-cultural organisation? “He became governor with the support of Afenifere, but immediately he was elected, he divided the group. He wants to use the Yoruba to negotiate for his selfish interests.”

Gani Adams alleged that Tinubu was pretending in his criticism of the federal government over the existing federal structure, and demand for restructuring and devolution of powers to the states towards the practice of true federalism. He noted that since the APC took over the federal government, the former Lagos State governor has remained silent on the issue of restructuring.

According to the Aare Ona Kankafo of Yoruba land also stated that Tinubu criticized the National Conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which he said made explicit resolutions on restructuring and other national questions.

Adams further expressed his respect for the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the former Governor of Osun State, who he identified as a true Yoruba leader, but said that the national leader, Tinubu, is anti-Yoruba. According to him, “I have respect for Rauf Aregbesola; he a core Yoruba and good leader…”

Adams stated: “Tinubu has always criticised the National Conference convoked by President Jonathan.

“National Conference report includes much of the principle and content of true federalism which has always been the wish of every true Yoruba socio-cultural group. “But Tinubu criticised the Confab before it started. He even continued to criticise the report.

“True federalism, as well as restructuring inter-governmental relations in the country to make the constituent units more buoyant and enable them to develop their own resources for the betterment of their people involves processes. And the process is the Confab. How do you then want true federalism without supporting the Confab?”

Tinubu during the Jonathan administration accused Gani Adams of securing a ‘contract from Jonathan to disrupt the peace of Lagos State’. He further pitched the people of the state against Gani Adams, telling “Lagos residents to defend themselves in the event of an attack by OPC members.”

Tinubu last week led APC members on a visit to former President Jonathan in Abuja to solicit the former president’s support for the 2023 presidential election, with all the baggage of his past onslaught on Jonathan.