Action worsen APC crisis
You’re on vendetta mission – Kwarans tell Abdulrazaq
Saraki, Gbemi unite to condemn act
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Why did Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq demolished Ile-Arugbo, the political fortress of the Sarakis located in Iloffa road, GRA, Ilorin?
Was it really because of the alleged lack of relevant documents or there is more to the pulling down of the structure, an incident that has ruffled the politics and governance of Kwara state since Thursday last week when the Government moved in bulldozers in the wee hours of the day to destroy the facility.
Top government officials, traditional rulers and political bigwigs who spoke on the issue last night told this medium that the action of the Governor was a calculated attempt and onslaught launched against the Saraki’s over political differences that dates back to historical relations between the patriarch of both families, AGF Abdulrazaq and late Dr Olusola Saraki.
But the Governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye has maintained that the action was carried out in public interest and alleged that the land was not acquired in line with due process.
It said Asa Investment, through which the land was acquired, lacked the necessary papers. Lawyer to Saraki, A.A Ibrahim, however denied the allegation adding that the needful was done in the acquisition process for the land.
The court on Monday granted an order restraining the State government from further demolition of the land pending the determination of the suit filed by Saraki.
According to sources, there is a prevalent believe within the family of the Abdulrazaqs that the Sarakis has kept them out of limelight in the state in both political and traditional reckoning that dates back to the 70’s and the Governor saw a willing took in the hands of some of his aides who harbour personal grudges especially against the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
It was gathered that frantic efforts by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, to wade into the matter and perhaps stop the demolition was reportedly rejected.
The plea by the emissaries of the Emir which included the four Baloguns did not yield desired fruit as the facility was demolished than 24 hours later.
According to a source in the palace, the intervention of the traditional institution might have come a little too late since the issue first went to the House of Assembly several weeks ago.
“The demolition of Ile-Arugbo was done the next day after the traditional rulers visited under the auspices of the Emir. With the look of things, nobody is sure of what next but it will be in the interest of the state and the people for the Governor and Saraki’s to sheath the swords and embraced peace for the interest of the state. The two families are renowned and the principals actors are illustrious sons and daughters of the state. They should harness and synergise their wealth, connections and potentials to move the state forward”, the source added.
It was further learnt that the 58th birthday celebration of Saraki held at Ile-Arugbo last year December where top Islamic clerics predicted that the former Senate President would bounce back in the state reportedly infuriated the camp of the Governor.
Meanwhile, the demolition of the contentious Ile-Arugbo by the government has reportedly worsened the leadership crisis rocking the Kwara State catheter of the APC.
Sarakites in the party and supporters of Gbemisola were said to be very bittered over the incident describing it as attempt to destroy and erase the legacies of the late Baba Saraki despite their support to his electoral victory.
The Minister of State for Transports, Gbemisola Saraki attacked the Governor after the demolition accusing him of disrespect and failure to carry her along despite being a top member of the in state who is directly affected by the exercise.
“You know the demolition of Ile-Arugbo has pitched the Governor against minister and her supporters including other Sarakites that are now in the APC. Many of them are not happy over the incident which has further widened the existing gulf among the blocs in the party. The irony is that it is even the minister herself that has been appealing to those that were not happy to consider the party”, a party source submitted last night.
The former Senate President has earlier attacked the governor in a statement personally signed by him accusing the governor of a vendetta agenda.
Kwarans have also condemned the Governor over the demolition for what some described as needless and unwarranted. According to a former lawmaker, Hon Nimota Ibrahim, what gave the governor away that his action was nothing but vendetta was how the demolition process as handled right from the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Efforts to get the party’s PRO, Tajudeen Aro and CPS to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye were not successful light night as calls to their telephones were not answered.
