Date: 2014-07-30

I read the ironic comment credited to the new Minister of National Planning, Dr. Suleiman wherein he claimed that he has been mandated by the Presidency to come and lead the struggle to liberate Kwara state and in furtherance to this, to retrieve the stolen mandate from the ruling party in Kwara State, so he claimed.

It is unfortunate that the Minister is making such comment only after being in office for two weeks , and especially at a time he is expected to ?join hands with other Kwarans in the development of the state and it's people thereby addressing their needs. He has not yet taken stock of the ministry or what he can bring to the state. Rather, the Minister is now fuming that he is ready to liberate Kwara from slavery. May we know who is under slavery in Kwara state? Where has he been all these years, or what has he done for the Kwarans all this time

Though, one would have wished not to join issues with Minister who is barely a week in office, but because of the fact that, I was present in the early morning solidarity and courtesy visit the Minister paid to Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki in his private residence in Abuja, a day to the latter's screening on the floor of the Senate. The Minister said he came to solicit for the support and encouragement of the Saraki to help him scale through Senate screening exercise and pledged his support to make Kwara state greater.

It is no more in doubt that Senator Saraki eventually fulfilled his promise by speaking glowingly in support of the Minister's nomination. That is why I am surprised that same Minister who came seeking for support of Senator Saraki could less than a week after his confirmation, claims that he is ready to rescue power from Senator Saraki. This is the true colour of the Minister.

I am not unmindful of the fact that in 1992, the said Abubakar Suleiman, the Minister, was an aspirant for the position of Ilorin West Chairmanship under SDP but he was screened out by Ajikobi ward screening panel led by late Alhaji Yahaya Agbojulogun. In 1999, the Minister further contested for House of Assembly member for Ilorin North West Constituency under the defuct APP. As usual, he was screened out by Ajikobi Constituency Youth Wing. The major factor working against the Minister then was that he only comes home whenever he is aspiring for one position or the other and goes back to Abuja, his base once he could not realise his ambition.

Could this be the reason the Minister thought this is his pay back time or revenge what transpired at that time of his political aspirations? Is this why the Minister is now displaying his inner person as against his person? Time will tell as he has started manifesting his true colours.

Let me use this medium to sound a note of warning and or advise the Minister and to quickly add that in all political spheres and ramifications, he is not fit and competent to make such comment or claims that he would wrestle power with Senator Bukola Saraki. Instead, the Minister should focus on his national assignment ?and serve his fatherland and his state to the best of his ability by ensuring peace, harmony and political tolerance in the state. Making a statement of this nature within seven days of his swearing indicates that he is out to play politics of his pay master and not to server the people of Kwara state.

Honourable Minister, please know that you know nothing and can not do nothing. Be a gentleman, play your positive part to ensure peace in Kwara state and we all pray for Allah's guidance for you.

Musa Abudullahi is the Kwara State Commissioner for Energy