OPC leader Gani Adams says Nigerians may have caused xenophobic attacks in South Africa

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has revealed why he thinks Nigerians may have caused the violent xenophobic attacks by anti-foreigner protesters in the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa.

While attempting to answer why Nigerians may be the target of anti-foreigner attacks in a statement issued on Monday, Gani Adams said that some Nigerians in the former apartheid enclave get involved in drug deals and also encourage South Africans to join them in the illicit business.

Gani Adams who also doubles as the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), noted that some Nigerians go to nite clubs to oppress South Africans by buying champagne worth millions of naira and pour it on their heads, while citizens of South Africa struggle to buy a bottle of beer.

He said; “There has been pressure on me to issue a statement on this matter and I can confirm that as at this moment, no life has been lost.

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“Most of the gory pictures being circulated are on social media. In this era of social media, anybody that has data are now journalists in their own rights.

“On the issue of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, I am a regular traveller to South Africa. The issue is from both sides. I condemn the actions of a few criminal elements in South Africa. South Africans are lovely people, very hospitable and accommodating at their own level. I am speaking with facts. Most of the professionals in South Africa are Nigerians”.

“The last time I travelled to South Africa, I went to see a dentist who is from Congo. During our conversation, he mentioned about 50 Nigerian medical doctors whose establishments are in South Africa. If we bring 20 of these doctors to Nigeria, they will turn around our medical sector.

“So, I think we should manage this xenophobic crisis carefully. I agree with the federal government because when you don’t express your displeasure over what happened, the other country will not know your worth.

“The attacks are condemnable and I implore the South African government to go back to history and think of what Nigeria did for their liberation during the apartheid era,” Gani Adams’ statement read in part.

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