Leading entertainers and culture
promoters, including Chief Ebenezer Obey, Adebayo Salami, Bolaji Amusan
and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, have backed the appointment of the Coordinator
of the Odua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, as the Aare Ona
Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, announced the appointment on Sunday.
The decision has generated some
controversy, although the larger percentage of the Yoruba establishment,
including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have okayed it.
In an interview with our correspondent
on Thursday evening, Salami, popularly called Oga Bello, said that since
Adams had accepted the appointment, all that everyone needed to do was
to support him to ensure his success.
“I personally have no problem with the
appointment since Gani Adams has accepted it. All I want to advise him
is to carry the office the way it befits an Aare Ona Kakanfo,” Salami
said.
Also describing the appointment as a
welcome development, Amusan, otherwise known as Baba Latin, said that
his reason for supporting the elevation could be different from what
others were considering.
According to him, Adams’ love for Yoruba culture and tradition is unparalleled.
He said, “Gani Adams has consistently
been championing the Yoruba cause for long, especially from the
perspective of our culture. The last time I see an English dress on him
was during his wedding. Anywhere you see him, he is in agbada or buba and sokoto, while many of us will be jumping about in foreign attire.
“Also, all the festivals that would have
died completely, Gani Adams is the one bringing them back. Apart from
the Olokun Festival that he organises, there is no Yoruba festival in
any part of the country and even outside that you will not see him
there.
“When Gani was doing all of these, he
did not have it in mind that he wanted to become the Aare Ona Akakanfo.
He was just doing them based on the interest he has in the culture and
people.
“Now, we have to remember that times
have changed. Gone were the days that the Aare had to be carrying guns
around. Gani possesses all modern attributes of a generalissimo and that
is why I am delighted that the Alaafin has appointed him.”
Music icon, Chief Ebenezer Obey, also espressed satisfaction with the development.
According to him, he (Obey) knows the
responsibility attached to the office because of his closeness to the
last Aare, the late Chief MKO Abiola.
“I took part in organising Chief
Abiola’s inauguration programme and plans for advancing the cause of the
people. Gani Adams truly deserves the honour based on his antecedents. I
pray that peace, progress and prosperity will mark his time in office. I
congratulate him, congratulate the Alaafin and congratulate the
people.”
In a statement signed by an associate of
Pasuma, Semiu Afolabi, the fuji musician described the proclamation as a
sudden but good news to the public and the Pasuma family.
He said Gani typified a great man who rose from grass to grace.
“Your appointment is coming at a time we
need to consolidate the values and strengths of the Yoruba race. Your
contribution to the rediscovery of values of the Yoruba race can never
be underestimated and overemphasised.
You have ceaselessly seen to the growth
and peaceful cohabitation of the land and we appreciate the judgement of
the Alafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Iku baba yeye), in the appointment. We
enjoin you to lead the race to freedom and greatness.”
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