The National Coordinator of the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, Gani Adams, has stated that the Nigerian Police force made him a hero. According to him he has Mike Okiro to really thank for the limelight he gave him which brought him into stardom when he declared him wanted under the Olusegun Obasanjo regime. He said what seemed like a problem then eventually turned into a blessing for him.
"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 told Premium Times. "The unnecessary publicity brought me into limelight," he said.
Mr. Adams said he was in hiding for weeks, before he eventually turned himself in to the police. The 45-year-old OPC leader said his offence was fighting for the interest of Yorubas which made the administration uncomfortable.
He said the "unnecessary publicity" by the police made him an hero and compared his imprisonment with that of Obafemi Awolowo, Wole Soyinka, and Nelson Mandela.
"I faced persecution for no just cause. I was detained in number of police stations, and prisons across the country, just because I believe in the rights of the people, and need to fight for the rights.
"But I must say this, I don't have anything against all those who contributed to the persecution. Your worst enemy may become your best friends. How many people am I going to fight. I have to give thanks to God and Okiro who God used to turn my story for better," he concluded.
