By Mike Adeyemi and Jimoh Sulyman
The demolition of a library built in honour of the late second Republic Senate Leader and strongman of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki, allegedly by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has attracted outrage with many describing the governor’s action as a rude shock to all well meaning and responsible citizens. Also reacting was the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, both son and daughter of the late political Icon. Bukola in a Facebook post, wrote, “Just got the news that the major official assignment carried out by the governor of my state, Kwara, today, is the demolition of an old public library named after my late dad, Dr. Olusola Saraki. May Almighty Allah continue to retain a place for Oloye in Aljannah Firdaus.”
On her own part, Gbemi wrote, Yet again, today we find that the Governor of Kwara State’s focus is not on building up Kwara, but on demolishing buildings which were owned or named after my late father, the Waziri of Ilorin.
“No matter how many structures are demolished, Baba Saraki’s legacy can never be destroyed, because it lives in the hearts and minds of the great people of Kwara. May Allah continue to guide and protect us all. Aamin.”
Governor AbdulRazaq has however denied being responsible for the demolition. In a statement issued on his behalf by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, the Governor put the blame on the Ilorin West TIC Chairman .
Condemning the demolition, Engineer Dare Bankole of Aiyedun ward in Oke-Ero local government area said, “I’ve just received the news of demolition of a public library named after late Kwara political sage, Dr Olusola Saraki by the government of Kwara state. I’ve also tried to perused the statement credited to the government in respect of this development, the government statement which attempted to shift responsibility to Ilorin West illegal Chairman further confirmed that the demolition is unwarranted and a miscalculated political vendetta against the Saraki family.
It’s quite unfortunate and depressing, the pettiness that governance has been reduced to in our state. AA government rather than focusing on service delivery to people seems interested more in unnecessary competition with Saraki family, thereby resorting to wanton destruction of public facilities rather than their constructions. I believe he can compete with Saraki family only by bringing forward innovative ideas geared toward service to the people and not necessarily going after any structures which bears Saraki names.”
“The name Saraki has become our culture in Kwara and no amount of demolition can upturn that fact . May the soul of Late Waziri continue to rest in peace “.
Former Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed in his reaction, where he expressed his sadness on the development.
In his own words, he said, “It is very painful, because it was specifically named after the father of modern Kwara, Olusola Saraki, the late Waziri of Ilorin.
“It was named after him because of his contribution to the development of humanity and what Baba contributed to the educational development in the state.
“If at all they got some reports of some undesirable activities going on , it is the duty of the local government to make sure that the library is well taken care of, so that it will be useful to the students and youths around the area.
“The excuse given by the CPS to the governor doesn’t hold water, because the government should be able to clean up the place and get rid of the song called unscrupulous people in the area ,but they failed at it”.he said
Also, a former chairman of Ilorin West Local Government Area, Alhaji Tajudeen Sulu Oloje, decried the move made by the state government, a move he described as a witch-hunt.
“It is so saddening, if someone want to demolish a library that is owned by the local government ,there are steps to be taken and by the situation of the local governments, it is obvious that it is the directive of the State governor for the building to be downed.
“Despite all the developmental projects that need to be done across the state, the government hasn’t even done one-third of them but it is a pity that demolishing a library is what they have atop their agenda.
“To the best of my knowledge, I see it as a personal hatred and an act of vendetta, and I know that people will be repaid in their own coin in the long run”, he said.
Oloje also faulted the legitimacy of the TIC in charge of the local government affairs ,saying “The institution of TIC is unconstitutional ,their existence negates the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, only an elected chairman is allowed to govern the affairs of the local government.
“The chairman of such TIC doesn’t have the power to demolish such building, they don’t even have a responsibility of embarking on any project apart from paying of workers salary and overseeing the affairs of the LGA.
“It definitely has a political undertone and it is a show of lack of good faith on the part of the government, because there is no rationale behind that action” . ex-council chair noted.
If it is true that they want to rebuild it as they claim and if they really meant well, they would have duly inform the public before making such move, they would have put a sign post outside, signifying the names of the owners, the supervisors and contractors ,in order to prevent tension as we have it now.
Former commissioner for Education of Kwara state, Alhaja Nimota Ibrahim in her own remark, berates the actions of the state administration.
Saying that ” What the government did is definitely an affront and an attack to the good memories of late baba Saraki, someone who dedicated his life to the service of the people of the state and Nigeria at large”.
She however reiterated that “the legacy of the late Political juggernaut, Olusola Saraki, is beyond just a building structure, but his memories are etched in the hearts of the multitude he touched”.
Adding that, “when we were young, only few of us could afford to buy textbooks at school, so, that particular library was our go-to place and it serves us well even more than the state library due to its proximity to the core Ilorin, most especially the less privileged”.
Alhaji Sulaiman Kayode Yusuf, former chairman, Local government service commission kicks against the action of the government, describing it as a bad move by the governor.
Alhaji Yusuf popularly known as Maja, noted that, “The action taken by the government is not a good thing, when a person wants to be an achiever ,he or she should emulate the good ways of those that have achieved in the past, rather than destroying the legacy and achievement of others.
“Saraki is always in the heart of the people, men and women, even the traditional rulers, not just a structure can signify the greatness of Baba Saraki, if the governor wants to be like him, he should emulate his good ways”, he submitted.
Meanwhile, outrages have continued to greet the demolition of a library built in honour of the Second Republic Senate Leader and strongman of Kwara politics, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki by the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led government, National Pilot has gathered.
Kwarans on Tuesday woke up to hear the news of the demolition of Saraki’s library by the authority of Ilorin West Local Government under what is said to be a pretense of planning to add a facelift to the structure, as people likened governor’s action to vendetta.
Speaking with our reporter, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Haliru Dantsoho described the demolition of late Saraki’s Library as an attempt to kill the statesman’s legacy.
“My reactions will not be different from other well meaning Kwarans who have voiced their disdain to the unhealthy conduct of the government who has left his duty to personal vendetta.
“A governor who has no achievement engages himself in irrelevant thing. A man who got massive support from the good people of Kwara state, though through propaganda, has left governance to chasing shadow.
“No doubt, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is on vendetta mission. All his agenda is to eliminate Saraki’s dynasty. Saraki’s dynasty has grown from generation to generation and nobody can eliminate that except you will kill all Kwarans.
“Majority of people in the Kwara All Progressive Congress today birthed their political sojourns through Saraki’s dynasty. Just tell me such a politician in Kwara that did not pass through Saraki’s dynasty,” he asked.
The PDP chieftain added that Saraki’s dynasty has come to stay and there is nothing anybody can do about it.
“I think the governor should focus more on giving the people of Kwara dividend of democracy to which he was voted for. He should pay minimum wage to workers instead of obsessing himself with Saraki’s dynasty,” Dantsoho stressed.
Condemning the unjust demolition, a University don who also doubles as a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdul – Rahoof Bello, said he was devastated hearing the news of the demolition, according to him, the excuses by the government is not tenable.
“My first reaction when I got the news was impulsive, querying why this government usually likes pettiness and vendetta.
“But having listened to the Chief Press Secretary to the governor justifying the demolition of the library as an attempt to give the structure a facelift and that the name of late Dr. Olusola Saraki will be retained.
“I want to give them the benefit of doubt. But if the authority fails to do that, I will go back to my hypothesis of the government on witch-hunting mission,” Bello vowed.
Similarly, an anonymous, who pleaded not to be mentioned condemned the government’s action over the demolition of the public library as immature.
“I have just got the news of demolition of library named after the late sage, Dr. Olusola Saraki by the state authority as a rude shock and unwarranted.
“The demolition of the library speaks volume of this government obsession with frivolities leaving governance to vindictiveness. It is sad the pettiness and childish act the state authority has reduced itself to.
“Saraki’s name transcends structural building which someone thinks he can eliminate. Kwarans see and carry Sakari’s name and legacy in their hearts. It is irremovable,” he assured.
