By Mumini AbdulKareem
The race for who succeeds the late Chief of Staff, Dr Aminu Adisa Logun has become a serious issue of contention among Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and some of his siblings over disagreement in the choice of candidates, National Pilot gathered last night.
To this end, Senator Khairat and Alimi, both elder siblings of the governor have reportedly dragged him before their mum and matriarch of the Abdulrazaq’s family in Ilorin over the issue.
It was gathered that the action of both siblings was meant to get their mother prevail on the governor to accept the preferred candidate of Khairat especially who has shown strong interest for Logun’s successor.
Family sources and government functionaries who are privy to the matter confirmed the issue to this medium last night.
Efforts to get the name of the particular candidate who enjoys the backing of Khairat was not successful last night but sources said the governor was not happy with the choice of his elder sister who insiders say wields some level of influence over the governor.
According to one of the sources, Khairat complained to their mother, a nonagenarian, during the meeting to warn the governor and insisted that he must appoint her preferred candidate to fill the vacant seat.
“It was Alimi that led them to the meeting and Senator Khairat told their mother to prevail on her son (Governor) he must not toy with the idea of rejecting her candidate to replace the late Logun as the next Chief of Staff.
“The matter has been a subject of debate between her and the governor before she took the decision to involve their mother to prevail on the governor”, the source added.
Another source who was also aware of the meeting said although the governor didn’t say much while the deliberation lasted, he reportedly vowed to deal with his siblings over the matter.
Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Kwara State Governor, Kale Belgore, the Governor’s Special Adviser Political, Mallam Saadu Salahudeen and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Riskat Mohammed Babalola were among those tipped to succeed the late Chief of Staff. Also said to be in the radar of the governor for possible appointment to replace the late CoS is another cabinet member whose name could not be ascertained from Ilorin.
However, one of the aides of the Governor when contacted last night said the Abdulrazaq may not be in a hurry to announce the next Chief of Staff “because there are many things the Governor has to consider before making such appointment considered the engine room of the Governor.
Logun died last month as a result of complication from the Covid-19 diseases at the age of 71 and was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
