Two years after the death of Dr. Olusola Saraki, the patriarch of the Saraki political dynasty, his influence still hangs on the Kwara State political landscape like a necklace. Perhaps, only a few diehards would have believed Saraki’s influence would outlive him. There were very good reasons to think the death of Oloye, as Saraki was popularly known, would signal the end of his over four decades reign.

The last decade of Oloye witnessed the emergence of his son, Dr. Bukola Saraki in the political life of the state, when he was elected as governor on the back of his father’s support. Surprisingly, Bukola later led a devastating palace coup on his father’s leadership. It was a political battle that was fierce and furious.

At the centre of the battle was Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Oloye’s daughter and Bukola’s younger sister. Oloye had anointed her as successor to Bukola, for reasons that many believed have to do with Bukola’s deviation from the political orientation of his father.

Bukola was accused of bastardising the essence of his father’s political leadership. He had caused a shift from a people-centred political system that was instituted and superintended by Oloye for four decades. In its place, he had inaugurated what a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former close associate of Oloye described as“wheeling and dealing, cash and carry” political machinery. Bukola’s two terms as governor had redefined popular participation. Unlike his father who opted for a simple and austere leadership, which placed higher value on popular support and inclusive politicsas against ostentatious lifestyle and riches, his son appeared to favour a winner takes all concept of exclusive politics where few lackeys feed on piecemeal political favours, leaving the majority as mere spectators.

GRS, as Senator Gbemisola Saraki is popularly known, was to be their father’s last dice to salvage his political system and refocus it to continue to serve the people. Bukola would however not hands back the control to his father. He wrestled Oloye to the ground, splitting the political structure down the middle. With the resources of the state firmly in his grip, he emerged as the new petty favour dispenser, luring not a few of his father’s associates to his side. The governorship election of 2010 provided the platform for Bukola to finally undo his father. He denied his sister the required support to emerge as governor under the PDP banner. The alternative platform provided by Oloye in the Allied Congress Party Nigeria (ACPN), lacked both the luxuries of time and resources to win election. Fatai Ahmed, Bukola’s anointed candidate, wonthe 2010 election and became the governor. Gbemisola Saraki garnered enough votes to show that her father still had a large political following. In the midst of this was the Action Congress of Nigeria’s, ACN, governorship candidate, Mohammed Dele Belgore, who made astrong showing, benefiting majorly from the traditional opposition voters.

In about two years later, Oloye passed on, putting to an end, an eventful political chapter in not just the political life of Kwara State, but in the political firmament of Nigeria. Oloye was a product of the old northern Nigerian political order, represented by the leadership of the legendary Ahmadu Bello and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Their clan favoured inclusive political association. The cult-like mass following enjoyed by them was built on a well-oiled people-centred approach to politics, where loyalty to the group, rather than one’s social status determined who would be supported for political positions. Their welfarist disposition meant they would have to deny themselves the luxuries of life. Like Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, Oloye left neither mansions nor significant wealth behind.

For Bukola, politics of self-denial does not seem to cut. Kwara may not have become one of the most developed states in Nigeria in the last decade; it has certainly produced one of the richest ex-governors in Nigeria.

The political events since the death of Oloye have shown a clear departure from selfless approach to politics.The new order shares no affinity with Oloye’s. It is a new study in politics that Kwarans are not used to. It is not surprising that Bukola has not been able to hold on to any significant freewill support. It is a common knowledge that Bukola’s relevance in Kwara politics would last till as long as he is able to hold onto the levers of power. While Bukola may not have the support of most Kwarans, he is still effectively in charge of the resources of the state with a pliable Fatai as governor. There is no evidence this will change before the next election. Meanwhile, the political landscape in Kwara, obviously, wouldn’t wait till election period. So much has changed in so little a time. With the departure of Oloye, and with Bukola’s apparent inherent character flaws, the once very powerful Saraki’s political structure no longer holds promise of guaranteed electoral victory as it did for over four decades.

The most significant change in the last two years is Gbemisola Saraki’s unexpected rise from being just Oloye’s beloved daughter to becoming one of the most formidable politicians around. Many are still wondering how come she is so adept at what she is doing. If her father’s dynasty is an heirloom, GRS has not only polished it, she has also been wearing it with so much gait and pride.

She has emerged as a consummate politician with unarguably the biggest and most widely spread group within the PDP structure in Kwara State. GRS Movement as her associates would call it has continued to grow across the state. It is doubtful if anyone else in PDP can boast of quality representation and followership in every ward of the state as GRS. If there was such a doubt, it was put to rest when her group produced about 70 percent of the state executive members in the last PDP state congresses.

Oloye may have died, but in GRS he lives. You could see and feel him all around her. Like her father, she is most at home around the common people. Her bravery would dwarf many of the male politicians in the state. She is a consummate political bridge builder, who has built political alliances with many politicians that matter across the state.These are some of the qualities that stood her father in good stead for several years.

These are the attributes that attracted most of the politicians in Kwara to the Saraki’s political fold. Only insignificant few can trace their political upbringing to anywhere other than Saraki. It would be almost a futile exercise looking for a former political office holder from Kwara State who didn’t pass through Oloye to get elected or appointed. It was a political structure that served many who would never have dreamt of political fortunes. Oloye was truly loved for whom he was.