Perhaps, former president of the United States of America (Abraham Lincoln) was referring to the people of Kwara State when he said: “The world is not suffering from the violence of the bad people, but from the silence of the good people.” This actually, speaks volume about the political paroxysm playing out in Kwara State. It is quite appalling as politics in Kwara State has been in an age-long comatose and had been admitted into intensive care unit since 70s receiving little or no attention.
To be frank, I might not be too grounded in the science of political analysis and profundity but my experience from the study and familiarity with political landscapes of some states in this part of the world is more than sufficient for a apt political juxtaposition. As of today in Nigeria, the Sarakis are a major force to reckon with when it comes to policking-their political sagacity, acumen and shrewdness has no match like Mohammed Ali’s punch. In the history of Nigeria, no family has ever enjoyed such longevity of political hegemony- they are among the very few lasting hegemons in the world. It is not an overstatement that the Saraki dynasty was institutionalised in the late 60s, since then political power has been rolling in the court of the Sarakis.
From the kick off of the second republic (1979), there is no executive governor that had not ridden on the domineering horse of the Sarakis to the corridor of power in Kwara State-ranging from the era of Saraki senior to tha of the current Senate president. Wielding of such political influence mirrors the political absurdity that has dealt a huge blow on the populace of Kwara State where the citizenry play kinship polity-throwing their weight behind mediocrity in place of meritocracy-you hear; “Sai leader! Sai leader!” Anu yin se mi fa (I pity you).
Kwarans are like the proverbial son who ten heavy strokes of whip landed on his frail back, yet he claims to be alright-the legendary Fela would say suffering and smiling. It is high time Kwarans woke to reality-despite being ravaged by misery and pang of hunger the son of Oloye still remains their stauchest favourite. Saraki has ridiculed opposition in the state by turning himself to Okonkwo in Achebe’s Thing Fall Apart who was described like a cat because no opposition had ever caused his back to kiss soil like a cat in any political contest.
Is there any opposition in Kwara? No. For every Pharaoh there’s always a Moses, but Kwara is outrightly hapless in this regard as no viable and genuine opposition in place. Kwara is not only dying from maladministration but also lack of a unwavering and firm opposition. Thus, Kwara needs the likes of Hakeem Lawal; Jani Ibrahim; Lola Ashiru; Dele Belgore; abdurrazaq Abdurrahman; Sheriff Shagaya; Professor
Abdurrahim Oba; Kawu Ishaq Olanrewaju Modibbo; Balkis Gambari; Lai Mohammed; Senator Yinka Aluko; Mike Omotosho and others to form a united front and grab Kwara from the claws of political vampires. In Lagos State you can mention people like: Bode George; Ogunlewe; Femi Pedro; Jimi Agbaje all of whom are always putting Tinubu on his toes. We have seen: Iyiola Omisore; and Senator Adeleke.
The Saraki-ravaged government in Kwara State is a sham and scam-the government can not boast of life-transforming infrastructures and programmes in the state.
Kwarans have fallen into snare of marauders and fraudsters that use projects (that were supposed to be cheap or free) to indirectly rob their pockets. Kwara State is, unarguably a civil servants’ state where public servants depend majorly on monthly stipends Saraki dishes out to them- lo and behold, omo baba Oloye wants such public servants to send their children to Kwara State University where school fees are like rocket science; how many average Kwarans have the financial muscle to see their children through the most glorified Aviation College; Kwara State Polytechnic school fees have skyrocketed beyond normalcy; our roads are lying in tattered condition; state-owned projects have been personalised; lecturers of Kwara State College of Education are wallowing in abject poverty with barrage of salaries unpaid-the school has been shut down for more than six months. Is that a leader? No.
I pray the kwaran locals to chart another course for political development by dislodging misfits from offices and form synergy with technocrats (not Sara-stooges) who will stir mammoth socio-political and economic transformation in our most revered state of harmony.
To be continued….
Ibrahim Mo’ Gambari
Writes from Lagos
08062284284 (mohammedfunshonoble@gmail.com)
