While opposition parties rejoice over the alleged rift between the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his political godfather, Senator Bukola Saraki, the two politicians say their relationship is stronger than before, SUCCESS NWOGU reports

The rebuttal by a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his political son, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, of existence of a rift between them, will with time, show if they are telling the truth or not. Reason is because many Nigerian politicians are known to speak with tongue-in-cheek.

Many Nigerian godfathers have fallen apart with their political sons. But until the matters snowballed into un-manageable proportions, they denied the existence of such schisms.

A case in point is the lingering and almost perennial acrimony between a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and immediate governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel. Obasanjo had played prominent role in the emergence of Daniel as the governor of the state. Daniel initially played the 'good boy' who showed gratitude to his benefactors and even appointed Obasanjo's daughter, Iyabo, as a commissioner in the state.

While the romance lasted, Obasanjo praised Daniel for his performance. But after some period, they became cat and mouse, engaging in orchestrated manoeuvre and deft political warfare that not only factionalised the Peoples Democratic Party but led Daniel to join the Peoples Party of Nigeria. The political warfare assisted the Action Congress of Nigeria to win the election, making both Obasanjo and Daniel to reduce in political clout and relevance in the state.

Also a former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja's bitter contest with his godfather, the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Lamidi Adedibu, made governance difficult for the former.

Ladoja later received another tsunami when his deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala rebelled against him and with the support of Obasanjo became the governor. Alao-Akala was, however, later defeated by ACN's Abiola Ajimobi.

In Abia and Imo states, battles between the founder of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, Orji Kalu and his two political sons, Theordore Orji who is the current governor of Abia State; and Ikedi Ohakim, the past governor of Imo State are still fresh in the minds of political watchers. Kalu with his then thriving PPA in some South-East states was able to check the alleged dictatorial imposition of leaders by Obasanjo. Theodore, who was almost retiring from active civil and later public life, and who was detained for few months into the election, however, won election in detention.

However, after some years, the two seeming inseparable political father and son went into the trenches, punching each other. The outcome was the demolition of the PPA and the crumbling of Kalu's political empire. Both initially denied the rift.

Kalu's political empire was initially reduced when Ohakim, who was regarded as a political Lilliputian dumped the PPA for the PDP after about two years as governor of Imo State.

Emeka Offor and Chinwoke Mbadinuju as well as Jim Nwobodo and Chukwumaroke Nnamani also shared in the political divorces.

Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku also had his own experience. With his political machinery in the PDP he had installed Boni Haruna as the governor of Adamawa State.

However, the awe with which Haruna held Atiku nosedived with the latter's political romance with the ACN, having been hard hit by Obasanjo who he had also helped to become President.

In all these scenarios, the rifts were initially denied but when the centre could no longer hold or be managed, things fell apart.

Saraki had in defiance of his father, Olusola, installed Ahmed who had been his long standing friend and political associate.

Saraki had indicated that his decision was based not on selfish sustenance of his family's political dynasty but on the yearning of residents of Kwara State for other zones apart from Kwara Central to produce a governor.

So many residents were taken aback when the rumour of a rift between Bukola and Ahmed over the 2015 elections became rife. They, however, debunked it. Saraki, through one of his media aides, Akintoba Fatigun, described the rumoured rift as a beer parlour gossip that needed not to be dignified with a response. He reasoned that the rumour was just a strategy of what he called the sinking opposition in the state to stay afloat and be seen to been relevant.

He stated that his relationship with Ahmed remained cordial. He added that no amount of 'lies' allegedly from the opposition could break their relationship.

"The opposition is advised to develop another strategy ahead of 2015 instead of sponsoring falsehood that will lead them nowhere," Saraki said.

Apparently, to further buttress the non-existence of a rift, Bukola stoutly defended Ahmed's government during some recent issues in the state such as the protest by commercial motorcyclists; delay in payment of salaries and urbanization law. He also declared his continued support for Ahmed and called on the people to support him.

Similarly, Ahmed in a media briefing, said the rift rumour was a lie allegedly propagated by the opposition in a 'futile attempt' to cause disaffection between the two ahead of the 2015 elections in the state.

According to him, members of the opposition in the state are not happy with the cordial relationship between him and Saraki.

Ahmed maintained that their relationship remained cordial and strong based on their long association. He dismissed the speculated dispute as a figment of the opposition's imagination, adding that it was purely a political gimmick by opponents.

"They are not happy that we are happy in Kwara. The simple reason is because they have failed to understand that what we have in Kwara is God-ordained. We have the responsibility of driving an eight year government which has progressively moved Kwara from where it was before to the state where we took over in 2011."

He stated that it should be normal for him to continue to leverage on the achievements of Saraki, adding that there is no way he could do that without taking cognisance of Saraki.

"We have a very cordial relationship. And the relationship is spanning beyond what people are seeing. We do have a good sense of purpose to move Kwara forward. We have seen Kwara State being moved to a very prominent state in agriculture, aviation, and in driving Public Private Partnership. You have seen us creating a very strong platform between me, the Leader and members of the cabinet.

"We have a very robust relationship that will continue to blossom because we have the same goal of ensuring that we give the best to Kwara. We also share the same vision of ensuring that we move Kwara State forward. Saraki will continue to be our leader. He has the experience and we are trying to draw from the wealth of his experience.

"He has been a strong stabilizing factor for me especially in areas where I require to take certain decisions that I am not well informed about.

However, the state Chairman, ACN, Kayode Olawepo, said the reported infighting between Bukola and Ahmed was a prayer answered in time for the people of Kwara State, whom, he said had suffered alleged years of suppression and economic sabotage.

He said the rumoured rift was a political and economic liberation of the residents.

"We are not surprised at their gale of denials. It was expected as has been the case with stories of godfathers and their godsons in the Nigerian political history. It's a matter of time before everything blows beyond proportion.

"The signs of the infighting are too glaring beginning with the power struggle between the two over who gets what position.

Olawepo alleged that a coterie of Kwara South elite, including Wole Oke and even the former All Nigeria Peoples Party governorship candidate, Khaleel Bolaji defected to PDP in an alleged calculated bid.

Related

2015: No Rift With Saraki - Ahmed

Ahmed, Saraki in 2nd Term Blues. The Atunwa Connection.

2015: Raging Political Forces in Kwara

Opposition Parties'll Remove PDP In 2015 - Lai Mohammed

2015 Kwara guber: Lai, Belgore split ACN

No Rift With Belgore - Lai Mohammed