โฆbacks Saraki as PDP campaign train hits Baruten
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Emir of Emir of Gwanara in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alh Sabi Idris Kotokotogi II on Saturday emotionally broke down in tears while recalling his relationship with the late Dr Olusola Saraki.
This is coming just as another monarch and the Emir of Okuta in Baruten local government of the state, Alhaji Sero Abubakar condemned in strong terms the unsuccessful attempt to attack the convoy of leaders of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The incident occurred when the PDP entourage visited the community as part of campaign activities of the party ahead of the 2019 election.
Speaking during a visit by the Senate President and national leader of the PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki, to his palace, the Emir of Gwanara, recalled with nostalgia the robust and very cordial relationship between departed political icon (Olusola Saraki) and the community adding that the people and the emirate have come a long way.
Saraki endorsed the pact recently signed between the PDP and Kwara north stakeholders in the palace of the Emir.
While further declaring his people’s unflinching support for Saraki political dynasty, the royal father prayed for the success of the PDP in the forthcoming election.
He said: “Today is a very happy day for me personally. Today, Nigeria is here because the Senate President is here. I pray God to grant Dr Bukola Saraki and his party success in the 2019 general elections.”
At the palace of the Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Sero Abubakar dissociated the entire Okuta community from the violent attempt, noting that the people remain law abiding and peaceful.
According to the Emir who later expressed joy on receiving the Senate President and other members of his party, Okuta remains a PDP strong hold and they will massively vote for the party in the forthcoming election.
The action of the attackers suspected to be members of a political party in the state however did not stop the mammoth crowd who came out to receive leaders of the party amid praises and applause.
He said โThe people of Okuta have remained committed to the ideals of the Saraki dynasty and we reassure you of our commitment even as we approach the polls.
โOkuta and indeed Baruten is a PDP Stronghold and we reassure you and the PDP of our overwhelming support during the general elections.
At Ilesha Baruba, the monarch of the community, Prof. Halidu Abubakar underscored the support for Saraki and the PDP.
He said his subjects were solidly behind Saraki adding that” in Kwara elections, it is individuals that matter and not the party. As far as I am concerned even if the party which Bio Ibrahim, a former minister and Senator Mohammed Ahmed (both sons of Baruten local government) belong will take me to paradise, I won’t vote for them.
“When they came and said they were led by Bio Ibrahim and Mohammed Ahmed, my people said, โWe are tired of most of these guys from here. A lot of those people shouting โO To geโ have benefitted immensely from the Saraki dynasty and without any impact on our community. You don’t even need to come here, you know where I stand. I’m doing this for Saraki as reciprocal.”
Earlier in Gwanara, Saraki who spoke on the pact for power shift to Kwara North for the first time since the MoU was signed assured the people of Kwara north that their zone will produce the governor of the state come 2023.
Saraki said: ‘We have commitment to Kwara north and Insha Allah in 2023 governorship of the state will come to Kwara north. Ilorin and Kwara north have always been together and we shall continue to be together.
“This year’s election is important not to only the people of Gwanara, or Kwara but Nigeria as a whole.
Things are very difficult generally in the country and we all need to be Atikulated to get Nigeria working again. “
The Senate President blamed the non construction of Ilesha-Gwanara road on the non cooperative attitude of the All Progressives Congress(APC)-led Federal Government, assuring the monarch that the road will be constructed once the PDP return to power.
Also speaking, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said Baruten and the entire Kwara north “is home for us”.
“PDP has put machinery in place to keep Kwara moving from grace to grace. We’ve come here to see how we can still improve development in Baruten. Ours is a party that has come with a sense of comfort to all. Even when resources were scarce we ensured that Baruten gets its fair share of development.
“We need a governor that will take us to greater height and that person must be someone that is already part of the system and understands the need for continuity of projects and policies of the current administration. The only person that description fit is the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Razak Atunwa.”
