A peep into Saraki politics of inclusiveness one year after By Ahmed Lateef To say Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the late Waziri of Ilorin propounded the marxist theory in political sphere is like stating the obvious. This is because the king maker of kwara politics creatively designed a platform to serve as advocate for the oppressed. From this political concept, he was able to market his theory to would-be disciples and those who shared his ideology. Indeed, his dominance within the political institution of the state was immutable and unbeatable, and this proverbially christened him as indomitable lion. While he held sway as the Kwara political warlord, any opposition that stood his way were either crushed or permanently politically incapacitated. This is a verifiable fact, there is needless mentioning casualty. The late political icon magic prowess endeared him to the people, specifically the downtrodden who saw him as a messiah and liberator. And this is why many of them were sympathetic to his course whenever he perceived foul play and quested for radical change in the political scene. If the above were anything to go by, the late Waziri of Ilorin built a solid structure widely acclaimed not to have been bested in the country in recent times. His own ideology was akin to that of Late Aminu Kano, who initiated Talakawa Masses political concept in the old republic. one thing that would not be hurriedly forgotten is the medical doctor cum politician method of politicking in his residence on Iloffa road G.R.A Ilorin. For politicians, party chieftains and political office holders, the white house is a reminisce of Kaaba in Saudi Arabia where muslims trip to every year to perform holy pilgrimage. However, in that residence there is a special building popularly referred to as Great Hall. This is where political direction and the fate of prospective political office holders is determined. Those with political ambition proverbially see the place as a temple where they gladly worship to have their ambition sanctioned as well as to curry the blessings of the late kingmaker. Would it be out of place to refer to the late politician who earned himself several political acronyms as a colossus? Obviously no. This is because his life on this planet was full of passion and love for the less privileged. Late Olusola Saraki was born into the respectable and wealthy family of late Alhaji Mukhtar Mustapha Saraki, a philantropist from Agoro Compound, Agbaji Quarters in Ilorin on the 17 of May 1933. He started his educational pursuit by attending the popular Eko Boys High School and Reverend Lukas College, the duo in Lagos before he left for England where he bagged Medical Doctor and obtained his professional qualification as a medical practitioner with MRCS, LRCP and MBBS in 1962. However, when left the diaspora to join the growing crop of pioneer indigenous medical doctors, he was registered with the Nigeria Medical Council on August 16, 1963 thus becoming the first Ilorin indigene to register as a medical doctor. Sarakis sojourn in politics began in 1964 when he participated in the post-independence politics. He contested an election to represent Asa Federal Constituency of Ilorin province in the Federal House of Representatives but lost. He was however not deterred having come to term with fate. He thereafter left for Lagos. His love for people strongly informed his decision to stage a come back in the polity. When water became ashes in the mouth of the people in the early 1970s, the late political gladiator commissioned several water tankers to supply drinkable water to the many reservoirs he built in strategic spots in Ilorin, Jebba , Ogbomoso among others. As if that was not enough, when a loaf of bread was priced beyond what the pocket of the people could afford, established Ayinke Bakery at Taiwo road Ilorin which the reinstated Society General Bank of Nigeria inherited for office location. And to cushion the effect of untold hardship prospective pilgrims to Mecca from Kwara who trip via Kano airport to the holy land, he facilitated the changing of Ilorin aerodrome to international airport. During the military incursion into politics which began with Generals Agunyi Irosi and Yakubu Gowon, political activities outlawed and subsequently all political parties of the period were abolished. It was during the period that the late kingmaker made friends all over the country. His White House office at Broad Street, Lagos was the meeting place. It could be said that his leadership ability came to the fore during the period and his office became a meeting point for both top government functionaries and businessmen where the goings in the country were freely discussed. By the time late Dr Olusola Saraki was installed as the Turaki of Ilorin in 1974, he had gathered so many friends all over the country that the ceremony attracted the creme de la creme of the society, thus signalling the genesis of his political establishment in the ancient Ilorin, kwara state in particular and the country in general . At the same time, Sarakis reputation as a great philantropist blossomed within and outside the state. Therefore, his generosity to people was so unprecedented that almost every community in the state was touched directly or indirectly by his kindness. By 1976, the late strong man of kwara politics had toured all the then twelve local government areas of old Kwara State and secured the agreement of leaders of these local governments to work with him for the progress and betterment of Kwara State. In his quest for true democratic governance, Saraki traversed the length and breadth of the country to woo people who were sympathetic to his course. He advanced politically and contested presidential primary of the then All Peoples Party, which later metamorphosed to All Nigeria Peoples Party and lost to Ogbonaya Onuh. Not deterred by the daunting situation, the political kingpin moved on and succeeded in making his beloved son, Bukola Saraki, the governor of the state, while his daughter, Rukayat Gbemisola Saraki became lawmaker in both lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly. Bukola Saraki is now a senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District. Although, the political icon fought very well through out his stay on earth and left the stage on the 14 of November 2012 when he breathed his last. But before his exit, he had bequeathed his beloved son, Senator Bukola Saraki, the political mastery. The political wizardry the latter inherited, now made him to be installed as the new political driver of the state. However, the above and all might have informed the gathering of who is who in the ancient town of Ilorin last Thursday, to attend the one year special remembrance prayer for the late political warrior, Dr Olusola Saraki. The Ilorin central mosque where the prayer was held, jam-packed with politicians, business tycoons, associates and friends in attendance. The factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and the court reinstated national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola led othe promoters of nPDP. Other leaders of the breakaway PDP that attended the prayer included Governor Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto state, former governors of Kebbi Nasarawa and Gombe states,Alhaji Adamu Aleiro, Abdullahi Adamu and Danjuma Goje respectively. The host governor, Alh AbdulFatah Ahmed was also in attendance. The Danmasani Kano Alhaji Maitama Sule, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode were also in attendance. The Emir of Ilorin,Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari led other traditional rulers in the sate to the prayer venue. Speaking with newsmen at the Ilorin Central Mosques venue of the prayer, the host, Dr Bukola Saraki declared that the political structure left behind by his father is faring very well. The former governor of Kwara and serving senator confessed that,though, the vacuum created by the demise of his father has been very difficult to fill,the family is doing its best to sustain his legacies. He thanked the people of the state for their unwavering support for the Saraki political dynasty, even after the death of the former Second Republic Senate leader. Saraki, said that the Kwarans support for his family has been clearly demonstrated in the electoral victories recorded by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in the last one year. He assured the people of the state of the determination of the Saraki family to continue to ensure their well being has done by Baba Saraki during his life time. The chief Imam of Ilorin,Sheik Salihu Mohammed Bashir who led the prayer described the late Saraki as a man whose love for the masses was uncommon and prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest. Speaking with The Herald On Sunday yesterday in a telephone chat, the chairman House Committee on Judiciary and Anti-Corruption, Barrister Kamal Fagbemi, described late Saraki as leader worthy of being emulated. He said, He was a leader one should aspire to be. He was very straightforward throughout his sojourn on earth. He empowered the less privileged and made them to have sense of belonging in the society. Thats why on the left the stage, people were wailing and crying because theyve lost a rare gem. And before his demise, he had conceded political power to his beloved son, Dr Bukola Saraki, our leader. My advice is let everybody emulate him so that our society could be a place to live.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 15:33:44 +0000
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