Facts, they say, are sacred but comment is free. But when such comment is based on patent inaccuracies, illogical argument or fallacious speculation, the freedom to express such comment becomes questionable.

It has become fashionable in Kwara for a minority to concoct stories about the relationship between Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki, his predecessor in office. Perhaps the most peddled and most ridiculous is the assertion that the former governor continues to rule by proxy. Adebayo Abdulrasheed's article on Ilorin.info falls into this category and will have been ignored as fantasy but for his decision to quote me out of context and use my words to justify his disinformation.

Abdulrasheed makes the false assertion that Senator Saraki is using Governor Ahmed as a front to serve a third term as governor. His evidence? An unfounded claim that Senator Saraki interferes with Governor Ahmed's disbursement of state resources for programs and projects. And an even more illogical argument that Senator Saraki remains in charge of governance because he is regarded as Kwara's political leader.

The first claim falls flat in view of the myriad of people oriented projects and programs implemented by Governor Ahmed since he came into office. The 5000 youth jobs, the 800km of urban and rural roads, the massive electrification projects, the rehabilitation of 17 waterworks and five general hospitas etc could not have been achieved if Senator Saraki was interfering with Kwara State funds.

As a man of integrity and a believer in true democracy, Senator Saraki has handed over the reins to Governor Ahmed. He only offers solicited advice as he focuses on an increasingly stellar career at the Senate.

The second claim is even more untenable. Every state has its peculiar political situation. In Kwara, we separated governance from politics from governance. While Governor Ahmed takes charge of governance, Senator Saraki holds forte on the political terrain.

It works for us. Just like it presumably works in Lagos where Asiwaju Bola Tinubu remains political leader after serving two terms as governor, a position he also occupies in the five other ACN governed states.

If we follow Abdulrasheed's faulty argument, then Tinubu is running a third term in Lagos, while also running Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Edo States. That alone demonstrates the hollowness of the author's assertions.

If the author must comment on Kwara issues, my advice to him is to focus on postulating superior alternatives to government policies rather than peddling beer parlor rumours. Truth is Senator Saraki is our leader in Kwara State while Governor Ahmed is in charge of governance. Simple.

Akorede is Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed