By Mumini Abdulkareem, Ahmed Ajikobi and Kayode Adeoti
Some personalities in the state have reacted to a statement released on Tuesday by the Senate Presdient, Dr Bukola Saraki where he wished the Kwara State elected National Assembly members well.
Speaking on Saraki’s reaction with our reporter on the telephone last night, a former head of service and secretary to the state government, Sheu Gafar, described the former Kwara State governor as a good and gallant leader.
“Politics is a game and it is only God that can enthrone and dethrone people on power. I like Saraki’s stand by wishing the winners well. Wishing those that emerged well means Saraki is with the people of Kwara and he is offering his support as one of them.
“It can be you today and another person tomorrow. Anybody can be changed from his position but it is only God that cannot be changed,” he submitted.
According to another former secretary to the state government, Saka Isau, SAN, what Saraki did was not unexpected of him.
“What the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki did was not unexpected of a true leader. He is a national leader and an astute politician,” he said.
Similarly, an ex-commissioner for Education and former lawmaker, Hon. Nimota Ibrahim described the Senate President as a leader with the spirit of sportsmanship.
She said, “What he did is a sign of sportsmanship and a good leader would do that whether he wins or lose.
“It is God that gives power and that can take it. What he (Saraki) has done, is a sign of good leadership. I commend him for that and for his courage. I pray that Allah will give him strength so that in future election, he will be victorious.”
Also, a scholar, Prof Lanre Badmas of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin corroborated, Hon. Ibrahim, urging other politicians to emulate the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by the Senate President.
In his words, “I consider his reaction as the spirit of sportsmanship and if other politician can emulate that very unprecedented example, the needed peace and stability will reign supreme in the society.
“In any contest, there are bound to be winners and losers. No matter the reservations on the extent to which the umpire follows the rules of the game, somebody has to emerge as winner at the end of the day and those who are yet to win should have the spirit of sportsmanship to wish those who emerged winners success but that does not stop following the laid down procedure if there is any aspect of the result or election that is challengeable before the tribunal in the court of law.
“If we follow the laid down procedure, the society will be conducive for all to live since the judiciary is there. I want to commend the Waziri of Ilorin for looking at the whole saga as a very delicate and sensitive development in his own community and he has no other community to call his own. I want to salute him and urge others to emulate him.”
Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said despite inadequacies noticed in last Saturday’s polls, “I however wish the candidates that have emerged all the best in their attempts to serve our people. It is my prayers that the good people of Kwara State will always have the best from any government both at state and federal levels.”
