THE Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has distanced itself from activities of group which claimed in a press statement that they have been betrayed by Otunba Gani Adams.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Hakeen Ologunro, the group said: “The actions of a faceless group, which calls itself the OPC National Coordinating Council has come to our notice. The group, comprising people who were expelled from the OPC as far back as 2007, claimed in a press statement that they have been betrayed by Otunba Gani Adams. This allegation by the shady characters who signed the statement is indeed laughable.
“The group, claiming to be members of an organization they were expelled from more than three years now, is nothing but a drowning man trying to cling to everything in sight to stay afloat. And of course, we are not unaware that the action of the group is the hand of Peter and voice of Paul. They are only being used by some politicians to attack the OPC.
They also, in their ignorance, cited the pipeline contract as a way by President Goodluck Jonathan to buy the Yoruba race. But these people don’t know that the contract talks about the job actually started more than two years ago.
“However, while it would not be necessary to honour them by replying their statement point by point, we would, however, want the public to know that this group of people is only out to remake themselves and to seek the attention, which they know that they will get by attacking the person of Otunba Gani Adams.
“But they have forgotten or have simply refused to acknowledge the fact that the beautiful roles Otunba Adams has played in Yorubaland cannot be rubbished or obliterated.
The major character in this macabre dance is one Shina Akinpelu. He was indeed a member of the OPC in Ibadan, but was sacked from the congress for engaging in anti-congress activities in 2013. Just two weeks ago, the same Akinpelu came to Lagos from his Ibadan base to plead with Otunba Gani Adams to reconsider the sack and allow him to come back, promising that he is a reformed man.
“At that meeting, Otunba Adams, in his usual manner, told Akinpelu that he bore no grudge against him and gave him money. But like the leopard, Akinpelu has confirmed that he can never be reformed.”
