An Ilorin based group, the Bukola Saraki Ambassadors, has warned against acts capable of causing divisions among the stakeholders in Senator Bukola Saraki–led political structure.
The warning, it noted, has become necessary considering the developments recorded in recent times in the state.
In a statement signed by the Secretary, Mallam Ish-aq Olawale and made available to National Pilot on Wednesday, the group submitted that the note of caution follows the article published in the February, 14th, 2018, edition of a national daily, THISDAY Newspaper where the writer, according to him, in seeking to do “a hatchet job made some deliberate misrepresentations and launched falsehoods capable of causing disaffection among the top members of the political structure.
The role of the media, according to the group, is to act as the people’s watchdog, get people informed by feeding them with information and also to present true picture of things.
It warned against deliberately distortion of facts and appealed to the faceless but known sponsors of the media war to exercise caution more so, when such involves sensitive issues that have the potentials to create a scenario where the stakeholders will in their minds position each other as enemies.
“We know there is a political structure existing under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki and there are ways, processes and the procedures through which the decision on who goes for elective position is taken
“The reality is that the existence of an established political structure has helped in ensuring peace in the state polity and it makes the usual violence recorded in some other states alien to the people of Kwara state, the path of duty on the part of the stakeholders lies in the sustenance of the dynasty rather perpetrating acts that can heighten tension.
While it is the inalienable right of the individuals to have political ambitions, nurture and pursue it, we should however, get that done through the required civility and orderliness cognizant that tension poses a great threat to the work of rearing a peaceful and harmonious society’ he advised”, it added.
The Bukola Saraki Ambassadors said opinions expressed in the article were grossly jaundiced and incorrect, particularly for singling out the representative of the Baruten/Kaiama federal constituency, Hon. Zakari Muhammed and labelling him as an aspirant that has earned rejection verdict from the home front, an opinion the group further categorized as total and absolute misrepresentation of facts.
The group, according to Olawale, in registering objection to the writer’s choice of words ‘Rejected at home’ said that contrary to such an opinion, the federal lawmaker is rather a man who is well-entrenched in his constituency.
‘While not holding brief for anyone among those that were listed as the guber aspirants , we discovered however, that the views expressed about Hon. Zakari Muhammed was off the track and completely inaccurate. The writer in an attempt to satisfy the interests of the sponsors twisted and slanted facts in relating the situation obtainable in the state political circle.
It said Zakari is a true indigene of Kwara state who though hails from the Kwara North axis has friends across the state and can conveniently claim any part of Kwara as his base.
As the representative of the Kaiama/Baruten federal constituency, it said Zakari’s footprints are everywhere and he regularly visits home and enjoys massive support of the stakeholders.
“During his visit to Kaiama recently to condole with the family members of those that died in the recent incident in the town, people trooped out in large numbers to join the team.
The reality is that unassailable evidence punctures the writer’s submissions as Zakari is indeed, a man loved by his constituents and he has all the attributes for any higher office; industry, competence, discipline, honesty and a consuming passion to cater for the best interests of the people”.
