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The three reasons Gani Adams is Aare Ona Kakanfo and what the initiation process entails

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, recently announced the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams as the new “Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.”

Gani Adams becomes the 15th new generalissimo after Chief MKO Abiola who last held the title.

Explaining his choice, Oba Adeyemi said Gani possess “three virtues” important to the Yoruba.

“The position of Are Ona kakanfo in Yoruba history makes it mandatory for us to hasten slowly, and that is what we have done. Manliness, courage, and patriotic zeal (not political ambition or opportunism), were three virtues respected in Yorubaland, even during the Yoruba warfare in the 19th century,” he said.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo was usually given to war General during the Old Oyo Empire. He is the one to lead wars, battles, train soldiers and conquer territory, although, the modern day Kakanfo is ceremonial.

Gani Adams has been marred with some bad incidents in the past. He was arrested after being declared wanted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for his role in the attacks carried out by OPC in the South-West.

Adam later said his crime was fighting for the interest of Yorubaland.

“I thank the then Lagos State Commissioner of police, Mike Okiro, for declaring me wanted and subsequent arrest, because it turned out to be a blessing for me,” he had said.

The requirement of the title makes it an obligation to pass through some spiritual fortifications. According to the History of Yoruba by Reverend Samuel Johnson, on the installation of Aare OnaKakanfo, the holder must have his head clean shaven, in addition to other rites he must perform.

Johnson wrote: “And 201 incisions are made on his occiput, with 201 different lancets and specially prepared ingredients from 201 viols are rubbed into the cuts, one for each. This is supposed to render him fearless and courageous. They are always shaved, but the hair on the inoculated part is allowed to grow long, and when plaited, forms a tuft or a sort of pigtail.”

The deaths of former Aares have also raised highbrows as they do die mysteriously and in connection to protecting the Yoruba interest.

The recent ones like Ladoke Akintola and Moshood Abiola proved the myth might be true to many.

Chief Akintola was assassinated in a coup while defending the Western Region and Abiola was also reported to have been poisoned after being denied Presidency he won by popular votes.

Gani who has held many traditional titles, believe, he has what it takes to lead the Yoruba people and he is not afraid of death, believing that it is worth dying for because it is blessed with the best culture in the world.

“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.

He also said he will use his new position to moderate his radicalism but would not compromise his principles.

“I never lobbied to become the Aare Ona Kakanfo. When people felt I should be the next one, I had to consult widely; both intellectually and spiritually.

“My wife was afraid when I told her. It took me time to convince her that the position is not synonymous with death,” he further stated.

Encomiums have been pouring in on the appointment Gani Adams with notable personalities like Former Governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Fayose, Ibikunle Amosun among others.

Criticisms have also trail the appointment of new Aare with some claiming the appointment was apolitical while others think he is not fit due to his ugly past.

Tiamiyu Arinola

What has happened now is just as a result of popularity. The OPC group has done nothing but cause chaos in recent times. Gani himself has been declared wanted in the past when his men were terrorising people, is that kind of person fit to hold such prestigious position? They are just playing politics.

Igbalaye Teslim

I don’t think Gani deserves that sea. People that have held that position in the past, we felt their impact. Somebody like MKO Abiola, he was a successful businessman respected by everyone, even beyond the shores of Nigeria. Gani, on the other hand, has not even earned the respect of Yoruba people let alone the world.

Moshood Sherifat

To me, I think nowadays, the oracle only recognizes those that have ‘small change’ (rich). Aside from the fact that, he is troublesome, I don’t see anything that he has done in the past that made them install him.

It’s just that the government has been able to curb their excesses. We used to have them (OPC members) on our street and we know how they treat people. They threaten people with charms. I just hope they won’t start doing that again now that their leader has been made Aare Ona Kakanfo.

Majekodunmi Kolade

Gani Adams does not have a clean file, he was always engaged in one trouble after the other. In a nutshell, he was not, to a great extent a peacemaker. I just hope they are not planning to make him an instrument for any hidden agenda. Yoruba leaders can be funny at times.

Ezekiel Babalola

I just hope he is able to uphold peace. The title is far greater than the man, but no amount of criticism from us can change what has happened.

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