I Parted Ways With Gani Adams Because He Is Too Greedy-Rotimi Olumo

One of the loyalists of the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Gani Adams, who preside over the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Oyo State, Comrade Rotimi Olumo recently rescinded his decision to support the factional leader of the OPC.

In this revealing interview with KUNLE BAKARE he expressed his regret for associating with Gani Adams.

Can you tell us what happened between you and your boss?

Let me start by thanking the people for the interest in hearing my own side of the story which I will describe as complete lie to tarnish my image. During the recently held general elections in Nigeria, Iba Gani Adams called me on WhatsApp, but I did not know that he placed me on conference call with my Osun State counterpart. He alleged that we collected 35 million naira from President Bola Tinubu, who was then the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and we told him that we can never work against his interest and he invited us to Lagos. During our NCC meetings, he told us to swear with some deities, which we did but he refused to believe us because I told him that I had never seen President Tinubu except on television.

I want to tell you that I served him with all that I have and I can tell you that I used to attend to him first even before my parents and I am surprised that someone I served diligently for over three decades will not trust me, which was why I decided to move on without him.

How did you feel, when you heard that you have been relieved of your position as the Oyo State coordinator of the OPC?

I never felt bad because it’s like planting a tree where it is most needed. Even before his order, I had moved with my followers, about 95 per cent of them, to another faction of the OPC and they welcomed me. You know we have been together before Gani Adams used his divide and rule tactics to separate us and now we have come together and and we are moving on. I can tell you point blank that Gani Adams faction does not exist in Oyo State again.

Which faction of the OPC are you now?

I am now in the New Era Faction, where I retained my position as the Oyo State Coordinator. I am using this medium to thank Comrade Adeola, who welcomed me and my supporters into the fold. My appreciation also goes to all the leaders of the New Era Faction of the OPC.

Do you regret working with Gani Adams?

More than regret. I wasted almost three decades following him up and down. I can tell the whole world that we made him what he is today, but I am happy that my followers trust me because if not, I will not have them by my side now. I used to gather all the money that we contributed here to go and give Gani Adams Lagos all in the name of performing rituals for the OPC, but we never knew he is self centred.

Don’t forget that the New Era Faction left when it was discovered that Gani Adams took money from former president Goodluck Jonathan to recruit our members for his re- election bid, and the money was not remitted or used to assist any member.

What was your relationship with New Era before you joined them?

We had a very cordial relationship because we knew that Gani Adams was telling us lies about them so that we could hate them. But Comrade Adeola has been very kind to us and that is why it is easy for us to mingle now.

Let me add that Gani Adams wasted my time in the last eight years because he never fulfilled any of his promises despite being a member of his inauguration committee during his installation as Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. We never knew that he was working against our interest, in fact I regret ever knowing him.

Then what is your plan as the Oyo State coordinator of New Era Faction?

I thank God for taken me to where I am today and all the people that God has used to lift me up. The next thing is to work on the welfare of our members. I will continue to put in place educative seminars and workshops that will move us forward. We will not allow the culture to go into extinction because we have plans to promote more cultures in the Yoruba lands such as Odun Ifa, Ose Meji and others.

What about securing jobs for your members?

Before I left Gani Adams ,I ensured that some of our members were employed and I will continue to do more under New Era and whatever I can do personally to uplift them I will not hesitate to do it. Gani Adams was not there, when we bursted Iskilu Wakilu and he took the glory which even translated into financial gains for him. He never assist any member ,let him come out and tell the world those he has uplifted in the struggle.

How would you describe the level of security in Oyo State?

I want to tell you that I have been collaborating with all the security agencies in the state. We thank God and Governor Seyi Makinde of the state for creating the Amotekun Corps. They have been trying to ensure that the state is free of criminals. But we are Oliver Twist, we still need more of government support on of security because if the state is secured lots of other things will be fixed.

At the national level, we thank God for the steps taken so far by President Bola Tinubu on security. I believe that with him there is future for the country’s economy and the well being of the people. Where there is no good security network, there will be lots of criminal activities and that is why kidnapping and terrorism are very rampant in the country. However, with the way President Tinubu has started, I think there will be a better Nigeria.

Your parting words for your supporters?

I use this medium to thank them and to tell them that under the New Era, we will all be relevant and enjoy the dividends of the association.