The seamless working relationship between the different arms of government in Kwara State, has continued to baffle many political analysts, especially those, who predicted a cat and mouse relationship between Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his predecessor, Bukola Saraki.

However, many are still cautious in jumping to conclusion regarding whether a year of cordial relationship in a journey expected to last four years, was enough to gauge the level of understanding between the helmsman and his predecessor.

Considering the political antecedence and developments in the state, some political analysts, especially those, who predicted a topsy-turvy relationship between Ahmed and his predecessor, have continued to ponder how smooth sailing the journey would be for the twosome. This perhaps gave birth to the latest gale of alleged disharmony between them.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Dr. Muideen Akorede, was quick to counter the alleged dispute as a figment of imagination of the opposition, insisting that the relationship between Ahmed and Saraki, rather than wane, remains cordial and strong based on their long association and shared vision of a prosperous Kwara State.

Specifically, Akorede, who said the situation in the state was unique, due to the peaceful transition from the previous administration to the current one, added that Ahmed's decision to scale up laudable programmes initiated by his predecessor were an eloquent testimony to the benefits of continuity. This continuity, he said, continues to elude other states in the country and remains the bane of sustained development in the country.

The governor's aide said his principal, rather than pay heed to discordant tunes remained focused on economically empowering Kwarans and growing the state's economy through robust programmes like his administration's Shared Prosperity Programme (SPP).

He restated the governor's determination not to be distracted by the antics of the feeble opposition in the state, calling on the people of the state at home and abroad, to ignore their antics, which he said, were designed to sow seeds of discord between the incumbent and his predecessor.

"Ours is a unique partnership based on mutual respect, which grows stronger daily due to our long history and standing commitment to making Kwara a model for other states in terms of economic growth and prosperity for the people. We are like a tag team in which we are pulling our strengths together in a determined effort to build a greater Kwara for the benefit of prosperity. Senator Saraki is a man for whom I retain the highest regard and I am happy to state that the feeling is reciprocal", said Ahmed, who served as commissioner for seven years during Saraki's tenure as governor, in apparent collaboration of his aide's submission.

Saraki's media assistant, Akin Fatigun, has also accused the opposition in the state of trying to fan the embers of discord between Ahmed and his predecessor.

In clearing the air on the alleged rift, Fatigun, however, assured of a sustainable relationship as the two were matured enough not to pick "personal information about their persons from the streets."

Saraki broke the jinx by becoming the first governor in the state to serve two terms of four years. The Senator representing Kwara Central at the Senate, had during this period appointed Ahmed as commissioner for seven years. When the race for his successor became hotter on the platform of the PDP, Saraki, who initially threw open the race later supported Ahmed in his bid to beat other top contenders to the plum job.

What then could be responsible for the existing cordial relationship between Ahmed and his political 'godfather' even where the likes of Alhaji Adamu Attah, and Alhaji Mohammed Lawal never had it rosy with their benefactor, Dr. Olusola Saraki?

The PDP's state publicity secretary, Alhaji Mas'ud Adebimpe said the peaceful relationship between the two "was a confirmation of the fact that the PDP in the state remains a party peopled by men with sincerity of purpose. Besides, it depicts the fact that they have a common goal and interest, which primarily is service to the people. Therefore where you find all these attributes there cannot but be peace, understanding and harmony.

"Again, don't forget that Ahmed has proved his loyalty to our leader (Bukola Saraki) and to the party as well. He has distinguished himself in all the ministries he served as a commissioner. I want to believe that he emerged governor of the state because of these sterling qualities."

The state secretary of the party, Yemi Afolayan is of the opinion that internal party discipline has contributed immensely to the prevailing peace within the party's ranks, even as he stressed that the party would not compromise its stand on maintaining discipline among its members.

According to Afolayan, "There is a high sense of party discipline in our party in the state. This cannot be divorced from the antecedents of the leadership of the party in the state, and any report of indiscipline brought to us is treated with all seriousness. For instance, when the position of the national youth leader of the PDP was zoned to North Central and ceded in particular to Niger State, our youth leader defied the zoning arrangement and tried to contest the seat. We distanced ourselves from him and when he insisted, we disciplined him. I think that singular act of the party will convince anyone of its high discipline level."

But for Chairman of the ACN in the state, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, the "peace" witnessed by the ruling party in the state was "fake".

According to Olawepo, "there is no peace in the ruling party. What we are seeing here is fake peace engendered by compulsion. If our governor had a choice, he may not like what we all refer to as peace today. But now, he has no other option than to maintain it.

"Nevertheless, if the fake peace will guarantee safety of lives and property, let it continue. If you can recollect the first experience of godfather and godson in politics in the state in 1983, it was not palatable. Many people were killed and maimed when the godfather and his godson disagreed. The same sad development was brewing during the era of Alhaji Sha'aba Lafiagi before the military struck. Don't forget in a hurry the period under the leadership of Lawal. So if the fake peace is sustained and the violent era is not revisited, may it be so."

But Adebimpe was quick to caution Olawepo against taking the prevailing peace in the state for granted or playing politics with an issue as serious as peace.

For Speaker of the State House of Assembly, AbdulRazak Atunwa, the House was willing to sustain the peace witnessed in the state as a way of facilitating good governance and the overall good of the people even as he pledged that the tradition would not be shattered during his tenure as Speaker.

Speaking through his media assistant AbdulRahaman Sanni, Atunwa said: "We are lucky to have in the present House, members, who display high sense of maturity. Besides, the open door policy of the headship has become something every members talks about. Where you find all these happening, there cannot be room for any rancour.

"Also of great importance is the foundation laid in the House by its pioneer members. It is solid and everybody privileged to have passed through it can attest to it. We are by the grace of God going to maintain it. The party hierarchy too, is well oiled and organised, so we cannot but be peaceful in the conduct of the affairs of the House."

Curiously, however, while the ruling party is blaming the opposition for engineering the alleged rift between Ahmed and Saraki, the opposition itself is also bogged by alleged crisis raging on between the party's national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the party's candidate in the last governorship election, Dele Belgore (SAN).

The alleged feud arose when it emerged that Mohammed would love to have another attempt at taking the Government House in 2015, having once failed to realise this ambition, while some party faithful believe that Belgore, a native of Ilorin was fit to confront the ruling PDP.

However, both Mohammed and Belgore were sighted at Oro Irepodun Local Government Area (LGA) of the state recently, when the ACN spokesman recently hosted a religious event.

Mohammed, who initially received Belgore and his aides at his Oro residence, later joined Belgore's convoy to the venue of the 'Tsafir' as a way of dousing impressions created by the rumoured rift.

"Honestly, there is no crisis between my humble self and Belgore. Those saying that are mischievous, you can see now with your eyes that my brother is with me. We are not fighting at all, and the rumoured crisis is not true," Mohammed told reporters.

Analysts are, however, of the opinion that only time will tell if the peace said to be permeating different facets of the state was sustainable or just a fluke.