National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, has declared that he is eminently qualified to be the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Adams described himself as a fighter, adding that he would reach out to former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and other Yoruba leaders.
Adams stated that though he was not as wealthy as the immediate past holder of the title, the late Chief MKO 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.
