Our pains, gains, plans as legislators, Kwara Speaker, outgoing lawmakers recount experiences
By Mumini AbdulKareem
For members of the Kwara State House of Assembly who are representing their various constituencies, the next few weeks leading to June 6, when they will complete their tenures will be for stock-taking, reflection on their experiences and how they have spent their time in the House. The tales of their representation from Hon Victoria Bunmi Afolayan of Oke-Ero constituency who was tearful during the interview session while reminiscing on memories of her late husband who she replaced after the latter’s death, to the Speaker Ali Ahmad who came straight from the House of Representatives and the lawmaker regarded as the lawyer of the House, Hon Kamal Oyekunle Fagbemi to the adventures of a clique known as ‘Red Cap Chiefs’ whose activities added another dimension to the exploits of the legislators in the hallowed chamber, will make incoming and future lawmakers including members of the public appreciate what they went through emotionally and physically in the cause of handling legislative business for their constituencies.
Speaker Ali Ahmad (I’ll pursue career in academia or Law): The experience has been fantastic and I would say although the sphere is smaller here and the people are fewer, and here I am presiding which was not so at the federal level, the challenge is similar. One has to embrace every challenge as it comes. It has been a very rewarding experience for me. My next move after my tenure would be to do things that I am passionate about and impacting knowledge could be one very big consideration. But academia doesn’t give you enough (resources) that you can share with your constituent. Private practice would have been good because you make millions, which is the way to go if one is looking at the urge to satisfy one’s people. So, I am contemplating both but when we reach the bridge, we would cross it. I don’t have a single regret. I can look back and say I have done what I was elected to do in four years to the best of my ability. Those that thought we were fighting the executive especially in the first two years are now on the same page with us, including those that were subject of our pressure. They now know that we are doing the right thing. What was most challenging for me as Speaker was not having enough fund to operate and deploy for the welfare of my members and then coming from the National Assembly where everything is provided for in abundance. I would like to be remembered for passing laws that touched the heart of the people and to be really seen in that sphere of a manning a people centric House.
Deputy Speaker – Hon Matthew Okedare (I’m going back to farm): I really thank God for being my assistance and enabling me to overcome all the challenges I came across. I was able to contribute my quota to the development of my constituency. I don’t have any regret serving as a honourable member. Initially I wanted to be chairman of my Local Government but fortunately or unfortunately, I lost the election and was appointed secretary to the Local Government before being elected as a lawmaker. At the House, I emerged Deputy Speaker and served diligently to the best of my ability, which was well applauded by colleagues and staff of the Assembly, who lauded my open door policy that gives everybody free access to my office whether senior of junior staff. My plan if I was reelected was to improve on the activities of our farmers by standing as guarantor for them to obtain loans from the Bank of Agriculture. However, my next move Is to go back to farm.
Hon Princess Segilola AbdulKadir (My happiest day as lawmaker): It has been an educative experience which has given me knowledge of the importance of budgeting in the state. The knowledge of the issue of budgeting should be taken seriously by lawmakers and politicians if they want to succeed. Also I am now exposed to the relationship of both the executive and legislative arms of government and how important oversight function is and the powers available to the legislators. I have also been able to know what governance is all about and the fact that one is elected to be the mouthpiece of his people and the need for him or her to go round and understand their plight instead of sitting at home or in the office. The legislature covers all the aspects of human lives and we cover virtually all the ministries in the state. I believe I can serve anywhere else now, it has given me a lot of knowledge on human relations. It is not that we don’t have grudges but we don’t allow it to go beyond here; The Kwara State House of Assembly has been the most peaceful and productive and we have private bills and motions which is not common in other places. I have been able to sponsor a bill and about 6 motions. I must thank the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for opening the opportunity to serve and his wife, Mrs Toyin for laying the foundation for me to be a politician; I never aspired to be one. The day I presented my bill on Sales, Production, Consumption of Liquor and other Intoxicants which was an expanded version which took almost seven months before it saw the light of the day, was my happiest. This is a huge achievement for me. I don’t have any regret. I came from the fifth ruling House in Ilorin which is the AbdulSalam Momoloso ruling house, so being a princess is not a title or honour. I will miss my colleagues and staff of the House especially those of us that served in the Seventh Assembly. On what next, I have shops that I can fall back on and I plan to float an NGO. My husband, children and grandchildren are there for me to take care of fully now. I will advice incoming lawmakers to see themselves as one and not allow the peace being experienced to be ruptured.
Hon AbdulRasheed Taiwo Abdullahi (How formed the ‘Red Cap Chiefs’ clique): Well, whatever has beginning must have an end and I thank Almighty God for giving me the opportunity to serve my state and especially be part of the eighth Assembly in Kwara State. When we came in, the whole system was strange to me and confusing because it was another terrain distinct from where I was coming from as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Practitioner. The Speaker, Ali Ahmad allowed majority of us to display our technicality and professionalism in carrying our legislative assignments. And with training and retraining, I was able to catch up within a short period. My highest point is that the whole House so much relied on me when it comes to deliberation on financial issue and in the 8th legislature, I have been able to use my knowledge to change budgeting from the way it was being done to the way it is supposed to be. I will miss all my colleagues and staff of the Assembly, it has been like one big family. Next for me is to go back to my profession and to my audit and tax consulting firm as well as carry on with my farming activities. As a member of the Red Cap Chief, it is not that we are a cult. The issue of red caps chiefs in the House came up around 2015 when a professional colleague in Lagos invited me and other colleagues to a function and sent to us Ankara and the red caps. Then we were on recess but on resumption, one of us suggested we should go to the floor with the attire. Since then, we became a formidable team that agitates for the interest/ welfare of members and staff and we have never gone against the rules of the House in doing this. The closest person to me is Hon AbdulRahman AbdulRafiu. After our nomination around 2014, I alongside my people went to the Great Hall to thank leader of the party, Dr Bukola Saraki, it coincided with the day Hon AbdulRafiu and his people also came to show appreciation. The day we got our Certificates of Return, we went to see my father together and discovered that his father and mine were childhood friends and that it why we have remained inseparable.
Hon Kamal Oyekunle Fagbemi (I don’t regret sacrificing my comfort to serve people): When on the 6th of June, 2011, I was sworn in as member of this honourable House, I knew that certainly it will come to an end and when I was re-elected in 2015, I equally had it at the back of my mind that whatever has a beginning must end and therefore I have prepared my mind that whatever is worth doing should be done well. I put in my best through quality bills and motions and other matters of public urgent importance that are beneficial to Kwarans. I cannot satisfy everybody but I think I can look back to say I have done my best to the people of my constituency in Oke-Ogun, Oyun Local Government. At the expense of satisfying people I have inconvenience myself and family because I feel this is an assistance that has to be rendered. I have had to call the proprietor of Roemichs where my children attend to plead for more weeks to be able to pay their school fees and they would obliged me. At that point in time, I will be paying for school fees, medical bills and other social engagement of others, but I have no regret doing that and would even do more. There have been some occasion that we used to have some bickerings and disagree on issue but at the end of the day, we disagree to agree for the good of the state. We don’t collect constituency allowance; we have been able to do what we have done from our meagre salary. As to what next, I am a lawyer by profession and I will go back to my trade. Presently, I am working seriously on a number of election petitions and I will continue to thank my people and the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for giving me the latitude to operate. Some people believe we would a rubber stamp to the executive because we are of the same party but we have thrown executive bills ilimini (on the point of reading) like the issue of N20bn loan. The first bill we passed in this dispensation was the security trust fund bill but up till now it has not been implemented even after it has been signed into law, this is low for me. During the period as chairman committee on proliferation of filling station, it got to a stage I wanted to throw in the towel because of the serious pressure from some powerful people affected but I summoned the courage to do the right thing. From my background as a prince and lawyer, I have always been very careful not to do anything that will tarnish the image of my parents. I will miss most how we used to eat, travelled together with my colleagues and some staff of the Assembly particularly one I like to refer to as Honourable 25, Bolale AbdulKadir because of his comportment, among other. My advise to the people is that they should support and cooperate with the incoming government because God knows why He has made it so. This is not the time for bickering and for those of us that lost especially as members of our party, this will give us the opportunity to re-access our approach and improve on it for 2023. My wife, Hajia Tawa Olanike Fagbemi has been a very supportive pillar to whatever success I have recorded as a lawmaker
Hon Ebun Owolabi (I feel like I’m serving in midst of 23 governors): I am privileged to be in the House after serving in the executive for 8 years and that gave room for comparism. My legislative journey gave me the opportunity to know how laws are made and this assignment was another form of education. In the executive, you are there to implement whatever the legislature passes but in the legislature, you look at what will benefit your people and go out to lobby your colleagues and the executive. Here is not a place where we make money because we only depend on our salaries. At the House, it’s like you are in the midst of another 23 governors. Human relationship and studying the behavioural aspect of people are some of the things one learn from this place. I have no cause to regret instead I am grateful for being able to attract some projects to my constituency in Ekiti Local Government. My pain is that in Ekiti land we don’t have a General Hospital and though our waterworks reticulation was in the budget, we couldn’t finance it because of paucity of fund. My people would remember me as a person concerned with infrastructure and human capital development, and my colleagues will always remember me as somebody who will always come in and diffuse tension when it is running high by making them laugh.
Hon Saheed Popoola (My experience as only opposition member): I enjoyed my time as a lawmaker more than any previous position I have held in life. This is a total service to humanity where you can represent your people and their views. I enjoyed the relationship between my colleagues and I. I thank God for being part of this 8th Assembly. My highest point here was my decision not to defect when others were doing so, considering the fact that I am a legislator and independent, in which I can take my decision and it will not affect my work. For the decision, I was never which-hunted by my colleagues but rather I got the highest level of recognition and everybody now noticed me better. My colleagues related with me very well as if we are still in the same party. I will miss them so much because after our tenure, there may be no time for the 24 of us to sit together again. This is the fact of life. And my lowest point was when some people wrote petition to the EFCC about what I did as chairman of Offa Local Government and I was invited. But my colleagues right from the Speaker, Ali Ahmad and the 22 others solidly stood by me. However, it was such challenges that really prepared me for whatever anybody might want to bring against me. My message for the people id to expect good governance and the APC will come out in flying colours. The next four years will be a very good one for the people of Kwara.
Hon Shuaib Ahmed AbdulKadir (I was lauded for good representation by my people): Well it has been four years of memorable legislation through the sponsorship of motions, which has to do with the infrastructural development of my area. In collaboration with my brothers at the upper chamber, the Patigi road has been awarded and work is ongoing. The General Hospital Patigi was one of the projects I really pushed but for paucity of funds, it was unable to see the light of day. That centre serve a lot of communities in my area. Because of the state of the road, my people prefer going to Federal Medical Centre, Bida in Niger State. If I was able to influence its renovation, I would have been the happiest person on earth because it was very close to my heart and I know the health challenges my people are facing who are predominantly farmers with lots of women and children. This is one of my lowest points. My community approached me to assist to have core science subjects teachers and I personally hired 8 and placed them on salaries for a period of 18 months. I stopped because most of them were latter employed through the N-Power scheme. Under my auspices, five people from the 10 wards in my community making 50 were placed on N10,000 monthly salary. For us, it has been all about service. My highest point was during the issue of IF-K when I made my point known during plenary that the scheme is being funded by everybody in Kwara including citizens of my Local Government and I can’t be in the House and watch when nothing was coming to my area from it. I advocated for the decentralisation of infrastructural development and although some people did not like it, but my people were very pleased that I spoke their minds. I want to go back to farming full time and remain in politics to continue the social services I have been doing before after my time here.
Hon Matthew Babaoye (I have proved to be a trailblazer): Some of my legacies is that I will be the first person from Irepodun to chair the committee of energy, works and transport and I have a bill in my name which no previous representative from Irepodun has done including series of quality motions that was implemented by the executive and the effect is felt all over the state. Some ranking lawmakers were asking me how i did it, but it was just with determination to serve and being focused on what I want to do. Irepodun, I learnt has not been so vibrant in plenary and House activities as a whole and I think by rating I should be counted among the first ten which is a legacy to be build upon and even exceed by those coming. Also, I have a constituency office back home, which no previous representative has done. Founding myself here has really prepared me for the upper legislature at the national level. I would have wanted to continue rendering service but for the power shake up in the state. The legislative arm is not a ‘chop I chop’ issue but you need experience and continuity. It has been a tremendous experience which will help in future political and organisational setting. Being able to move a motion to address the pathetic plight of the staff of Colleges of eEducation in Oro and other parts of the state was one of my highest point and we interfaced with the executive which prompted immediate offsetting of salaries of affected workers. Even if I don’t achieve any other thing, this gives me great joy and there are lots more we have done through several motions. However, what I felt really bad about is the nonchalant altitude the executive towards some of our motions mine inclusive like the issue of indiscriminate hawking on the walkways around Post Office, which has endangered many lives. I will remain a politician and either go into lecturing or business. For us here, we started in communism. At a point, we had cracks and at this end point we are coming back to communism and we can extend it beyond this tenure by forming a body. But life continues because we meet to part and part to still meet again. My message is that expectation of the people on the lawmakers are not the primary design of their function, they are to make laws and those incoming lawmakers should not be over pressured with demands. But this is not to say that the lawmakers should not give back to their constituencies.
Hon Sikirat Anako (Why I’m referred to as Queen of the House): We started very well during the tenure of former speaker, Hon Razak Atunwa when I was the Deputy Chief Whip. I have tried a lot for my people of my constituency, which made them to say that if I contest 100 times, I will still win because I am very close to the grassroots and as such understands their problems. I have one coordinator in each ward who report to me on happenings in my constituency. I opened a computer centre for them and facilitated some boreholes through the MDGs. I also embarked on payment of school fees and securing employment for people in the police, Army and others. In our second coming, it was an easy one for me based on my antecedent and despite the financial situation, I personally bankrolled some project like market toilets and gave out financial assistance. I am an elderly person and whenever there are issues among colleagues, I step in to resolve it. I have never regretted being a lawmaker because I know I have tried my best. I will be remembered for my good virtues, which is why I am being referred to as the Queen of the House in addition to the way I dress and speak. Anybody that is coming to replace me have to consider the interest of his constituency first and always carry them along in whatever is happening. As a lawmaker I didn’t have much time for myself because my attention was always needed by your constituency and other people. I will miss my colleagues and the friendship that we shared.
