Date: 2019-05-11

Saka Olododo: No More Godfathers in Kwara Politics PERSPECTIVE Alhaji Saka Cook Olododo was chairman, Ilorin East Local Government Council Area of Kwara State, some years back. He was also a former Chief of Staff, former commissioner and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during the tenure of Dr. Bukola Saraki as governor of Kwara State. Olododo was also one of the political strategists and foot soldiers of the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the father of Bukola Saraki. Olododo, who was a right hand man of Bukola Saraki, fell out with him eight years ago because he was denied a House of Representatives ticket. He ultimately joined forces with the opposition movement in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to oust Bukola Saraki in the 2019 election. Olododo won a House of Representatives seat during the elections, to represent Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency under the platform of APC. Olododo talks to Hammed Shittu about a number of political issues in Kwara State and the country in general

Expectations of Kwara people are enormous from the incoming administration. Can you assure them that these expectations will not be dashed?

The difference between the incoming administration and the outgoing one is this: The incoming administration is a product of the collective efforts of the electorates and politicians whereas the outgoing one is a one man show, with no respect for the masses and their views about the ways and manner they are governed. So, for the incoming administration, everybody is a stakeholder and I know that the incoming governor – Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq – realise and know this very well. All of us, the elected members across board, know that there are no more godfathers in Kwara politics.

What are your plans for your constituency? For your information, I was a chairman of my local government. So, I'm a grass root politician. I have never abandoned my people in all my years in politics, whether inside or outside the government. I left government about nine years ago. Up till this moment, I never abandoned them. With the help of almighty Allah and the masses, I was elected a member of the House of Representatives. By my own way of identifying with my people, I don't have to wait for inauguration before I start doing things that would add value to the lives of my people. That was why I swung into action. I bought generators to power their bore holes immediately after election. And so far, I have repaired 35 bore holes and other little assistance I could give them. I believe more goodies are still in the kitty for my people in my constituency. What's the update about the next Speaker in the House of Representatives? As the Kwara State coordinator of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila Speakership project in the ninth assembly, all our national assembly members in Kwara State have resolved to align with the directives of the party. In fact, in the North central, we have decided that we will follow the directives of the party. In terms of the Senate presidency, we are backing Senator Ahmed Lawan.

What will Kwara State benefit if Femi Gbajabiamila emerges as Speaker?

We believe we are going to benefit a lot. The federal government and the party know that Kwara State is a peculiar state so we need special attention because of the way the outgoing administration handled the resources of this state. I have already made it known to them that we need their assistance and as a member we believe and know very well that good things will come from Gbajabiamila.