Politics

How Otoge Movement And Offa Robbery Caused A Revolt For Saraki In Kwara Politics

Published

3 years ago

February 25, 2019

In 2011, Bukola Saraki retired his father, Olusola Saraki, from politics by backing Abdulfatah Ahmed against Gbemisola, his own younger sister, in the governorship race. Their father had been the godfather Kwara politics for decades and the popular saying was: “Anywhere Saraki goes, Kwara goes.”

After controversially installing Bukola, his first son, as governor in 2003, Saraki – who was senate leader in the second republic – wanted the younger sister as the next governor and pulled every trick in the book. He failed, Bukola had his way and the conclusion was that Kwara now had a new godfather.

Well, not for too long. Bukola’s reign lasted for exactly eight years. He will not be returning to the senate and, except his party,the PDP, wins the presidential election and he gets a key position, the senate president may be on his way to political oblivion.

The nation’s number three citizen was defeated in the Kwara central senatorial district race by Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 123,808 votes to defeat Saraki’s 68,994 – a margin of 54,814.

A former governor of Kwara state and two-time PDP presidential aspirant, Saraki’s defeat is the biggest news so far in the 2019 general election. Here are five possible factors that may have caused Saraki’s fall.

THE ‘O TO GE’ MOVEMENT

For some years now, Kwara residents have been under the leadership of the Saraki family, a culture many refer to as the ‘Saraki dynasty’. Saraki’s late father, Olusola, was known for installing governors. In 2003, his son took over from Mohammed Lawal as governor of the state, an office he held for two terms. From there, he proceeded to the senate form where he is said to have been calling the shots in Kwara.

But as time went by, the people were said to have been “fed up” of the influence from Saraki’s family and gradually, a popular movement known as ‘O to ge!’ began. Loosely translated as ‘enough is enough’, the movement – or revolt as you may wish to call it – was spearheaded by key political figures in Kwara including Abdulrahman AbdulRazak, APC governorship candidate in the state, with the help of prominent figures there such as Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture.

Time and again, Mohammed lamented about the “Saraki dynasty.” The minister once said: “The main issues here have to do with how our state has been governed in the past 50 years, 40 of which have been dominated by a single family. What has happened to the commonwealth, which has been cornered by a single dynasty at the expense of the people?”

Fun fact: With what we understands that some of the voters did not even know the name of Saraki’s main challenger; they were simply motivated by “O to ge”.

Another key factor that led to the ‘downfall’ of Saraki is the popularity of President Muhammadu Buhari. The president, it was gathered, is even more popular than Saraki in in most parts of the state.

Interestingly, as the results of the presidential election tickled in, figures showed Buhari was having a comfortable lead in Kwara against Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, despite Saraki being his (Abubakar) campaign director-general.

Apart from the fact of the dwindling influence of the Saraki family following the ‘O to ge’ movement, the presence of Lai Mohammed, the information minister, helped boost the president’s popularity. In fact, in the build-up of the elections, Kwara was one of the major states of interest for the president and of course, the minister acted as the president’s front as events played out.

SORE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE

It is believed that Saraki’s not-so-good relationship with the people of Kwara robbed him of some votes in the senatorial election.

Some reTheCable claimed to TheCable claimed he does not have a good relationship with the people like his late father Olusola. “He is not free with his people like his father was,” a resident said when asked about the senate president. “People used to throng to their house when the father was alive but not anymore.”

OFFA ROBBERY

On April 5, 2018, armed robbers attacked banks in Offa, Kwara state, killing 33 people, including pregnant women and 12 police officers. It later emerged that some of the suspects had links to Saraki and the Kwara state government. This created a major PR disaster for Saraki as he became publicly involved in a spat with the police hierarchy.

http://gyonlineng.com/end-of-the-saraki-dynasty-kwara-politics/

The tragedy shook Offa to his very roots and apparently tarnished the image of Saraki in the state, and this might have contributed in no little to cutting down his influence and hurting his political fortune.

While addressing a press conference in Lagos earlier this year, Oloriegbe had accused Saraki’s family of not sharing in the “common heritage” of the people of the state. He also made it a point of duty to restore the state’s “lost values”.

The APC candidate had said: “In the past 16 years, our society has been in the grip of people who do not share our common values and heritage. They are dealers whose concerns are at variance with the people’s aspirations. They are leaders with (an) inordinate appetite for wealth acquisition. They are political voyagers and power merchants. They don’t share our Islamic values and culture of leadership.”

‘WRATH OF CIVIL SERVANTS’

A key factor that dealt a massive blow on Saraki’s ambition is the “poor welfare” of workers in Kwara state. Residents who spoke to TheCable complained the civil servants both at state and local government levels are usually not paid their salaries – and when they eventually get them, the salaries come in percentages.

“Sometimes, they pay workers as low as 30 percent,” a resident said, adding that workers have been abandoned over the years.

But Saraki is not the governor – so why direct their frustration at him? “Ask a typical Kwara man what his issue is and he may tell you Saraki has no paid us,” another resident told TheCabe. “It is true he is not the governor but he is the one calling the shots; so the people know if Saraki wants salaries paid, they will be paid.” Many believe that Kwara resources are still under his control.

Politics

APC-USA Congratulates Oyebanji

Published

21 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Sahara Weekly

APC-USA Congratulates Oyebanji

By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe

The All Progressives Congress United States Chapter has congratulated Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji on his victory in the last Saturday governorship election in Ekiti State. In a statement signed by Professor Adesegun Labinjo, the Chairman, Judge Dele Alade, the BOT Chairman and Professor Francis Onukwuli, the Publicity Secretary, the APC-USA Chapter expressed its happiness at the success of Mr. Oyebanji at the polls which is a clear evidence of the confidence the Ekitikete has for the governor-elect. APC-USA believed that Mr. Oyebanji will perform well in office, and consolidate and build on the achievements of Gov Kayode Fayemi.

APC-USA applauded the peaceful conduct of the election by the INEC, and the peaceful and the orderly manner the people of Ekiti State freely exercised their voting rights. APC-USA believed that Mr. Oyebanji has the experience it takes to effectively govern Ekiti State, and execute the programs and projects that will rapidly develop the state and lift more Ekiti people out of poverty and insecurity. The chapter said that Mr. Oyebanji, having worked closely with Governor Fayemi, is fully prepared and equipped for the job and will hit the ground running the first day in office.

APC-USA called on the governor-elect to understand that there is no room for failure and corruption as the Ekiti people deserve quality, honest, transparent and visionary leadership that will touch their lives and develop their state. APC-USA expressed its confidence that Mr. Oyebanji has the ability and the character to do the job and urged the governor-elect to quickly from day one, execute the projects and policies that will immediately address the needs of the people.

APC-USA congratulated Gov Fayemi and the people of Ekiti for the confidence they have in Oyebanji, and for working and ensuring his victory. The Chapter called for unity in Ekiti State and urged the Ekitikete to continue to support Oyebanji so that he can focus on governance and on the job of presiding over the programs and policies that will touch their lives. APC-USA promised to assist Mr. Oyebanji in any area of need and will make the expertise of its members available in this regard.

APC-USA called on Ekiti and all Nigerians to vote massively for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming presidential election for the transformation, restructuring and rapid development of NIgeria.

Signed:

Professor Adesegun Labinjo
National Chairman, APC-USA

Judge Dele Alade
Chairman BOT

Professor Francis Onukwuli
National Publicity Secretary

Politics

Jimoh Ibrahim Thanks Akeredolu for Adegoroye’s ministerial nomination

Published

2 days ago

June 23, 2022

Sahara Weekly

Jimoh Ibrahim Thanks Akeredolu for Adegoroye’s ministerial nomination

By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe

PHOTO, from left, Jimoh Ibrahim, Gov. Akeredolu and Prince Adegoroye

Jimoh Ibrahim

Senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC) Ondo South and billionaire business mogul, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim CFR has described Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a reliable and dependable leader who has the love of the people at heart.

He stated this on Thursday while commenting on the nomination of Prince Ademola Adegoroye as the ministerial nominee for the state.

Ibrahim noted that the governor nominated Adegoroye because of his pedigree, knowing that he would impact on the lives of the people of the state.

Adegoroye, a one time governorship candidate and an obaship nominee in Akure Kingdom, was on the list of ministerial nominees submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for ratification.

Adegoroye is to replace Senator Tayo Alasoadura, who resigned as the Minister of State, Niger Delta, to contest for senatorial seat of Ondo Central.

According to Ibrahim, “Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is an altruistic personality who always put the people’s interest first in his decisions.

“His choice of Hon. Ademola Adegoroye, an astute politician loved by the people of the state, as the nominee to replace the former minister is apt.

“Governor Akeredolu knows that Hon. Adegoroye will impact on the people of the state tremendously and that’s why he nominated him for the position.

“Hon. Adegoroye is a round peg in a round hole and the people of Ondo State as well as other Nigerians will surely appreciate his prowess in office.

He will surely add value to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC as a party, which will to a greater extent attract more votes for our party during next general elections.

“I seize this opportunity to congratulate our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, our party, APC, the people of Ondo State and Nigerians at large for having Hon. Adegoroye as one of our ministers.

“I also congratulate Hon. Adegoroye on his new appointment and national assignment. I wish him success in this new terrain and height.”

Politics

5,000 Adebutu, Kashamu loyalists decamp to APC

Published

2 days ago

June 23, 2022

Sahara Weekly

5,000 Adebutu, Kashamu loyalists decamp to APC

-says Abiodun’s sterling performance reason for dumping PDP

By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe

Ahead of the 2023 general election, no fewer than 5,000 members of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors who were members of Ladi Adebutu and late Senator Buruji Kashamu factions of the party in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state were received by Governor Dapo Abiodun on Wednesday.

Led by lfaneye Shittu, lsiaka Sonoiki and Mufutau Gbadamosi from the Ladi Adebutu faction as well as Adeleke Adesanya, the chairmanship candidate of the party from Buruji group, at a political meeting of Ward 3, 4 and 5 held at Oja-Ale, Iperu-Remo, the defectors cited the sterling performance of the state governor as the reason for their action.

Receiving the former PDP members, Governor Abiodun thanked them for joining the ruling party, stating that the inclusiveness and open door policy being adopted by the current administration has attracted many members of other political parties to pitch their tent with the APC.

“I want to assure you that you will be given equal treatment as every member of the party is one family. This government is your government and we are ready to accommodate whoever is ready to join hands with us towards development of the state irrespective of religious, political or tribal affiliation.

“Our party is focused and committed to the transformation of the state. Since the inception of the current administration, a lot of developmental projects, including road reconstruction, rehabilitation of primary health centres, youth empowerment among others had been carried out in all the three Senatorial Districts of the State. We are currently constructing the Gateway Cargo Airport which was delayed by the previous administrations for more than a decade and by God’s grace, it will be ready for commissioning by December this year”, the governor stated.

While applauding members of the party from various wards in the local government for trooping out to receive the defectors, Abiodun urged them to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in order to exercise their civic rights during the general election next year.

“Elections are coming up next year and for you to take part, I want you to go and get your Permanent Voters Cards. This is the card that will allow you to exercise your civic responsibilities and the power to choose those you want to govern you”, he advised.