Date: 2017-04-04

Ahead of the 2019 gubernatorial race in Kwara State, strong indications emerged last night, that the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki may have decided to watch events as they unfold for now.

This development is coming following the spontaneous reactions that have trailed a report in the state that no fewer than 11 aspirants and allies of Saraki in the party are currently warming up for the most coveted seat in the state in 2019.

According to feelers from the camp of the Senate President, Saraki is monitoring and observing the sequence of events for now and just "keeping his fingers crossed regarding the issue.

National Pilot however gathered that Saraki will intensify his visits to the state from January next year to focus more on the local politics as the gubernatorial election draws nearer. Throwing more light on the issue, a close ally of the former governor, who is very conversant with the development, told this medium that "the Senate President will have more time to visit the state after the conclusion of the Code of Conduct Trial (CCT).

The source added that the distractions from the federal level especially from the presidency and CCT trial among others needed to be sorted out first before he can focus on politics in the state.

"Saraki has decided to just keep his fingers crossed and he is watching events as it unfold regarding gubernatorial race in the state. "He doesn't want the government in the state to be distracted at this crucial time especially when the administration is in its midterm.

"So once the CCT trial is concluded in few months time and stability hopefully returns to the government at the centre and the party, Saraki will have ample time to visit the state to focus more on local politics especially the 2019 gubernatorial race.

"This is the situation with the Senate President as regard the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state", the top source submitted.

Recall that some of the aspirants named in the report have since denied warming up for any gubernatorial ambition in 2019 in separate reactions in the print and electronic media, last week.

Mentioned in the report were former minister and now APC National Spokesman, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, former acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now APC Chieftain, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District and former governor, Alhaji Sha'aba Lafiagi, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Special Duties, Hon Moshood Mustapha, Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Ali Ahmad, member Representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency and Chairman of House Committee on Judiciary, Hon Razak Atunwa and representative of Baruten/Kaiama at the House of Representatives, Hon Zakari Muhammed. Also listed to have started subtle campaign for the race is a member representing Ilorin East/South federal constituency, Hon Abubakar Amuda Kanike, his counterpart for Edu/Moro/Patigi, Hon Ahman Patigi (Bahago), Chief of staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulwahab and Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Political Matters, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape.

Those that have allegedly refuted the report included Alhaji Baraje, Alhaji Ajape and Hon Ali Ahmad who spoke though his aides, Shuaib AbdulKadir and Abdul Rahman Sanni among others.