A very old woman and of course a die-hard fan of the late Olusola Saraki,  Waziri of Ilorin suddenly sauntered into my way along Akerebiata, Sobi road, Ilorin. And yours truly overheard her telling a passerby, supposedly a relation that she was hurrying down to a traditional marriage for which we are known in this ancient city of Islam.

In a jiffy, her attention was arrested by some young men who were debating the fast changing political space of Ilorin, with the essence or otherwise of Senator Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State forming the crux of the matter.  And just in a strong show of disapproval, the woman who, from my judgement was on the other side of 70 burst out, interrupting the debate uninvited.

In a typical Ilorin accent, she said: Dinidirin ni Bukola pewa ni,  o to gee. Baba re lo ni ooto, ohun o loo to, a sile tele. Meaning, Bukola thinks we are fools. Enough is enough. His father was sincere in his relationship with us but the son is not, hence we can’t keep following him. This is just a tip of the iceberg in the manifestation of the growing consciousness among  Kwarans.  

Of course, debate such as this, has become a common place in today’s Ilorin, and by extension, Kwara, especially after the demise of the Waziri of Ilorin, who in his days was undoubtedly the toast of many. The post-Olusola Saraki Kwara is fast becoming interesting, with people now readily prepared to ask questions on how they are being governed. In fact, an interaction with a big brother of mine reveals a paradigm shift.  In his analogy, he says our fathers followed the older Saraki dogmatically (permit its usage) because they never had what he had, which was education. Today, the story is different as scores of many Saraki apologists, nay Kwarans, have education which Baba Olooye’s children, including Bukola also has. The tendency therefore is for them to grow awareness among the populace, raise issues and ask questions for which answers must, as a matter of responsibility, be provided.

This position was recently underscored by the Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, when he addressed teeming Kwarans who thronged the Arca Santa event Centre, (old Tate and Lyle) for a reception organised in his honour by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).  For him, the era of docility must certainly pave way for activism in the politics of the state. The university teacher raised some posers for discourse among both the low and the high.  Punching the air intermittently amidst the chant of change by the crowd of supporters, Alhaji Abu, as fondly called, asked Kwarans rather rhetorically, who owns what in the state.

The informal interaction went thus: “Kwara must ask questions, Kwarans must ask questions devoid of violence, Kwarans must ask questions devoid of chaos. Who owns Shonga Farm? Kwarans must ask questions. Who owns SHOPRITE? Kwarans must ask questions. Who owns the Diagnostic Centre? Kwarans must ask questions. What does the state do with the monthly N200million SURE-P fund? Kwarans must ask questions. What has become of the monthly allocation to local governments? Kwarans must ask questions.” Questions, questions and questions. Indeed, it was indeed an exhilarating session for both the speaker and his listening and enthusiastic audience.

What is it? Things are happening in other states. My last visit to Katsina during the annual conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) as well as numerous others to Jigawa, which I often refer to as my second home, are indications that Kwara is not getting it right. Fantastic structures and institutions put up at very minimal costs dot the length and breadth of these states. Even our colleagues from the South could not hide their shock at what they saw. Let’s not think political but developmental. 

Of course, it is still a surprise to the so-called kingmakers that Sulaiman emerged representative of the state in the Federal Executive Council (FEC). But rather than seeing it as a surprise, the supposed power brokers must be quick to sense danger in the horizon. One, the minister’s choice was a collective decision and not a one-man show as it obtains in the state’s selection process.  It certainly beats one’s imagination to see a Sulaiman from an Ajikobi ward springing up as minister when the same ward had at different times produced governor, senator, member House of Representatives since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999. Certainly, a cockerel that will grow to crow, will never fall prey to the eagle.

His unsuccessful attempt at clinching the chairmanship of Ilorin West local government  as well as the ticket for the Lower House, are more than any other thing,  attestations of courage, faith, resilience and determination.  The mass turnout at the Ilorin International Airport, is not necessarily about this political scientist, but that of the principle of change which people of the state eagerly desire. The minister, if you ask me, is just the anchor or harbinger of that change.  And to drive this process, all stakeholders must be very willing with nobody playing the spoiler’s role. Leadership as a mantra, is not about dominating people. If this is correct therefore, the PDP must put its house in order with members abiding by the majority and not exposing the party to the tyranny of the minority.

Never at any point in time did the minister pretend to be a boss over his  PDP disciples. As one who cherishes the principle of democracy, he would readily tell anybody that cares to listen that he is a product of consensus building, a claim no party stalwart ever faulted.  What a rare show of humility and magnanimity?  On this premise, there is  a challenge starring all in the face.  Stakeholders, especially the major actors   must give Sulaiman the right support to lead the party to the Promised Land, because according to him, “it would do us no good to be in the opposition because we are likely to lose.”

Abdulrauf is the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Abuja