Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams , has reacted to last Wednesday’ s statement credited to ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo , saying that his ( Adams ’) past ways negated his ( Obasanjo ’ s ) principles and standards .
Media reports stated last week that a reconciliatory meeting between Obasanjo and Adams held in the Lagos residence of a notable leader of the Yoruba socio- political group , Afenifere , Chief Ayo Adebanjo .
Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’ s Congress, was arrested during Obasanjo administration in September 2001 by the police for alleged violence in some parts of the country linked to his group .
But Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media , Kehinde Akinyemi, after the meeting on Wednesday, said he didn ’ t visit the residence of Adebanjo for a reconciliatory meeting with the Aare of Ona Kakanfo.
He said , “ I have no quarrel wit h Gani Adams, but for his past way of life which was not in accord with my standards and principles. I have in the past, both in government and ou t of government , refused to grant Gani ’ s r equest to visit me .
“ If at all anybody feels I have a quarrel with him or her that needs reconciliation , such reconciliation will, no doubt , take place in my residence in Abeokuta only.
In his reaction at a press conference today , Adams said he had yet to understand what Obasanjo meant by “ his past way of life. ”
He said , “ I don ’ t know what baba Obasanjo meant by my way of life. I agree with him that we don’ t have the same character because he ’ s not a progressive. Obasanjo will not like the character of any progressive Nigerian . I have never at anytime requested to meet Obasanjo as he claimed . 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 the Yoruba elders I respect so much.
“ He ( Obasanjo ) stated 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 . That one has been foreclosed . I cannot even go to his house. ”
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