I’m progressive, Obasanjo is not, says Gani Adams
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Gani Adams, has said there is no way he could have the same character with former President Olusegun Obasanjo because why is he progressive, Obasanjo is not.
Adams was reacting to a statement credited to Obasanjo that his (Adams) past ways negated his principles and standard.
Adams, who is also the Nation Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, was arrested during Obasanjo’s administration by the police for alleged violence in some parts of the country linked to his group.
But Obaasanjo, after last Wednesday media report that a reconciliatory meeting between him and Adams was held in the Lagos residence of a leader of the Yoruba group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said his visit was not a reconciliatory meeting.
He had said in a statement, “I have no quarrel with Gani Adams, but for his past way of life which was not in accord with my standard and principles. I have in the past, both in government and out of government, refused to grant Gani’s request to visit me.
In his reaction on Wednesday, Adams said, “I do not know what Baba Obasanjo meant by my way of life. I agree with him that we don’t have the same character because he is not a progressive. I have never at any time requested to meet Obasanjo. I initially didn’t want to attend the meeting when Chief Ayo Adebanjo told me but i decided to honour the invitation because Chief Adebanjo is one of the Yoruba elders i respect.
“If Obasanjo is not given a say in any government, he will be an enemy of that government. Can you name any progressive group that Obasanjo belongs to?
“At the meeting on Wednesday in Chief Adebanjo’s house, we discussed about the 2023 general elections. He said in his statement that whoever feels he needs a reconciliatory meeting with him should come to his residence in Abeokuta. I don’t have the need for any reconciliatory meeting with him. I cannot even go to his house”.
Adams further described the ex-president as an international figure whose claims could be taken as true if he refused to address the matter.
He added, “Obasanjo rode into power to fight the progressive elements and continues to fight the progressives even outside the government”.