Recent development in the camp of Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown up persons some party members would like to refer to as “welfarists” candidates to contest for positions in the 2019 election. HEAD POLITICS, MUMINI ABDULKAREEM takes a look at the issue.
Last week, the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) okayed a major change in the list of candidates it earlier submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest its senatorial ticket in Kwara South.
The move, which saw the party swap the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, who is the present occupant of that seat, was widely acclaimed by party officials as the result of the strength of internal democracy and unity of purpose that has been the hallmark of the leadership of the Saraki dynasty ably led by the Senate President and national leader of the PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Before the amicable resolution of the issue between both top members of the party, the opposition APC had reportedly positioned itself to exploit any opportunity to profit from the issue that many of them had hope would polarise the party and some of its candidates. However, the end result was an anti climax for the nay sayers in the opposition party.
For Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the latest development has been a long conversation between major stakeholders from the region contrary to the narrative of the decision being the consequence of the last bye-election in Irepodun/Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin federal constituency to replace late Hon Funke Adedoyin as many of the opponents of the PDP would want the world to believe.
Reacting to the issue, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim in a statement he personally signed said the decision of the Governor to cede the senatorial ticket following the pleas from Ibolo elders is highly commendable and has further affirmed his reputation as an advocate of fairness, equity and inclusion describing it as leadership by example.
Away from all the post election postulations and appraisals since the APC was announced ‘winner’ of the election that is now a subject of litigation, the PDP seem to have decided to rest its campaign and selection of its candidate hugely on the welfarist philosophy of the late patriarch of the Saraki political dynasty, Dr Olusola Saraki. In Kwara state, whether by coincidence or happenstance, it seems the PDP had been on a meticulous plan to select particular kind of candidates with a knack for welfarism in the light of the peculiar situation that the party found itself in the state.
Since the last four years, the allocation accruing to the state has consistently dwindled over-stretching the meager resources that have to be deployed for the payment of salaries and provision of other infrastructure facilities in the state.
According to political analysts, the issue of welfarism has been at the forefront of the complaints from many party members and civil servants, especially in the light of the recent recession and dwindling allocation from the federation account. Some of them even cited the example of the Osun episode that despite the huge infrastructure that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola left behind, which was based on massive borrowing that has skyrocketed the debt profile of the state, he was still “voted out” until the federal might syndrome came to play. The signal from that incident point to the fact that majority of electorate prioritise a good blend of provision of social and economic facilities with stomach infrastructure that recognised welfarism as key.
Except for some of those that have gotten return ticket in the various positions of contest, from its gubernatorial candidate, to the Senate and the House of Representatives, the PDP appeared to have settled for three candidates with a peculiar heritage who have stood out in the provision of welfare for their people in all the places they have served.
And according to Hon Razak Atunwa, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, what will be paramount to him if elected will be the welfare of his people and the resolve to “return the good old days” when the welfare of the people was paramount for everybody. That catchphrase has repeatedly found its way to many speeches of Atunwa who has promised to take care of the people much more importantly and providing the necessary facilities needed in the state. Out there, Atunwa is regarded by many supporters of the party and staff of ministries and many civil servants as a welfarist to the core and he had even demonstrated such traits many times with friends and close associates outside official engagements. His generosity has also earned him the nickname “buje budanu” and many have looked at him as a perfect man to bridge the alleged welfarist deficit the state has found itself since the advent of the APC administration.
While meeting with former councillors in the state as part of his engagement with critical stakeholders in the state ahead of the poll, Atunwa said his administration, if elected, will adopt a holistic approach to governance that will lead to the provision of the needed infrastructural development and people oriented policies for the people of the state.
He noted that the state had enjoyed steady development under the Saraki political leadership adding that he would ensure he continue and prioritise the welfarist ideology and concepts the late Baba Saraki was legendary for.
“The councillors, whether serving or past, are the closest to the grassroots and very close to the people. I am a proud student of the late Baba Saraki’s School of politics and with the support of the successor to that dynasty, Dr Bukola Saraki, our government, if elected, will work to bring back the good old days in Kwara State.
“But on my own part, I promised to carry you along before, during and after the campaign in government and that will not only translate to appointive positions when we are finally elected by the grace of God, but we will fashion out how to ensure that we pay all you commitment and entitlement within the shortest possible time.
Similarly, among all the senators representing Kwara state at the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim stands out on the issue of welfarism. Many of his protagonists described him as welfarist to the core and argued that there is no sector the Ibolo Senator from Oyun in Kwara South has not positively impacted. The list seems endless from students, traditional rulers, artisans, traders and children who have benefited massively from empowerment programmes that have been a standing challenge to his colleagues in the senate.
For Hon. Wahab Isa, his first stint at the National Assembly in the House of Representatives for Ilorin East/South between 2003-2007 was adjudged one of the finest periods of that constituency in term of welfarist ideologies, especially in the provision of federal appointments and stomach infrastructure. Many believed that such narrative brought him back as the candidate of the party.
According to many party leaders and supporters, this coming election is going to be watershed for Kwarans if PDP wins with the position, recognition and respect accorded the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki by the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. And with Saraki’s submission that Kwarans are in for a fresh start outside the turbulence period the APC led government accorded it in the last over three and a half years, a PDP government and the “welfarists soldiers” on board in 2019 is going to be a win-win situation for the state and its people.
