Contrary to the report making the round that some youth of Lafiagi expressed their displeasure towards the visit of the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the community at the weekend, it was actually a day of honour for the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Saraki had visited the community located in Edu local government area of Kwara state to commiserate with the families of the two indigenes of the town that lost their lives on the eve of the last local government election in the state.
Some online news medium had reported a different version of what transpired during Saraki’s visit to cast aspersion on his person alleging there was a stoning incident.
But it was gathered that contrary to the report, Saraki was warmly received by the Etsu of Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Ndakpoto, a first class traditional ruler.
The President of the Senate also paid a condolence visit to the family of late former Minister of State, Alhaji Saidu Issa, and later paid homage to the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Sa’adu Kawu Aliru.
He later joined Muslim faithful for the Juma’at service at the Lafiagi Central Mosque.
Narrating what transpired, a member of the entourage of the Senate President and Director General of ABS Mandate office, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi told National Pilot that contrary to online report, Saraki was well received.
He said the youth that carried placards were few and had no encounter with the Senate President adding that they were noticeably peaceful.
But according to a source who also witnessed the incident in the town, the youth that carried placards honoured Saraki but were only complaining about Senator
Lafiagi.
He said, โThe journey to Lafiagi was to pay condolence visit to the family of the late Wali of Lafiaji, Alhaji Seidu Yisa.
โSaraki also visited family members of the victims of the Lafiagi Fracas last year which led to the torching of Senator Shaaba Lafiagi country home over a culvert that was allegedly abandoned by him.
โThose that carried placards to register their displeasure were only reporting the Senator to Saraki.
โAs part of his usual gesture, he condoled with the families of the victim of the incident and prayed Allah to comfort them and grant them and comfort them in their (decease) absence.
โHe also observed the Jumaat (Friday) prayer, and while he was coming, he met student of College of Education Lafiagi who were waiting for him and solicited his assistanceโ, the source added.
Meanwhile, the Etsu of Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Ndakpoto, has said traditional institution in the state had agreed to concede political leadership to the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The monarch noted that the institution decided to support Saraki for the covetous position after the demise of his father, Dr Olusola Saraki.
Ndakpoto stated this at the weekend while receiving the President of the Senate at his Palace in Tsaragi, where Saraki had gone to pay condolence visit to the traditional ruler over the death of his wife.
He said there was no going back on the decision to support Saraki’s political leadership, which he pointed out, was agreed upon after the transition of the late former Senate Leader in the Second Republic.
ย ….unveils 52 constituency offices in Kwara Central
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has open 52 constituency offices across Kwara Central.
He said this while commissioning constituency offices in Akanbi Ward 5 and Okeoyi/Okeose Ward in Ilorin South and East local governments.
He also commissioned another ABS office facility at Agbaji in Ilorin West Local Government.
Commissioning the offices, Doctor Saraki said the gesture was aimed at bringing dividend of democracy closer to the people at the grassroots and make them close to their representative at the National Assembly.
The Senate President, who reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the wellbeing of the people, promised Kwarans, particularly the youth of more employment opportunities and empowerment.
He further promised to continue to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state and sought the support of Kwarans to the programmes of Present administration in delivering dividends of democracy across the state.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker State House of Assembly, Doctor Ali Ahmad explained that Doctor Saraki has directed that genuine dividends of democracy must be spread across to the people through laudable initiatives, especially at the grassroots.
He applauded the gesture of the Senate President on the programme and expressed the hope that it would uplift people confidence on the programmes and activities of government at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Saraki had earlier commissioned other offices in Ilorin West, East, South and Asa local governments represented by the DG of ABS, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi who was accompanie at the visit by the Special Assistant to Saraki on Legislative Aides, Alhaji Biodun Baraje among other staff of the office.
