Why I led Gani Adams to seclusion, by Bishop Ladigbolu

Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu has said there was nothing wrong with his involvement in the installation of the national coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

The clergy who retired from the Methodist Church of Nigeria, is the chairman of the planning committee and the one that led Adams to a three-day seclusion to observe traditional rites for his installation as the Generalissimo of Yorubaland.

The archbishop said he knew his functions as a clergyman and also as a prince born into the palace that has responsibilities to promote the Yoruba culture.He said: “I was born in the Alaafin’s palace and apart from the grace of God, being a prince of Oyo greatly assisted me in what I have become today. I have the right to help the palace to promote and develop our culture. I am not involved in anything idolatry, I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I love my culture and I love my people.”

The clergyman disclosed that many prominent Yoruba leaders signified their intention to become the Aare Ona Kakanfo but the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, chose the right person widely accepted by the people.

Speaking on the reason for the appointment, the retired cleric said: “It is not an honorary or ceremonial but a functional title from the beginning and if you are wondering why we need to have an Aare Ona Kakanfo now, you would agree with me that there are invasion on our territory by foreign ideas, foreign cultures, all of which if we did not guide our territory properly as Yorubas, it might lead to the total collapse of our territorial heritages and valued cultures.

“We need a Kakanfo to give clear direction and protect the territory from incursion and invaders. He will work with all Yoruba leaders and protect the integrity and Yoruba values from marauding cultures that are ravaging our territory. The emergence of a new Kakanfo will foster unity and oneness of the Yoruba people and cultural values. The position has changed from being a warlord to that of leadership since the era of the former Premier, S.L. Akintola. ”