Kwara state Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq may drop his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi as his running mate in the 2023 governorship election slated for March next year, multiple sources informed National Pilot during the week.
Several reasons were given for the Gorvernor’s decision, chiefly of which is the deputy governor’s reported closeness to the Governor’s younger brother, Isiaka who it was learned no longer enjoy the confidence of the Governor.
Isiaka ,it was gathered, was the one who recommended Alabi for the deputy governor’s position in 2019. A very influential member of the Abdulrasaq family with huge goodwill which cuts across the state,Isiaka had close relationship with his brother governor and used this to facilitate several other key appointments in his brother’s cabinet.
The relationship between the Governor and younger brother, it was gathered, is now no longer cordial. A source even told National Pilot categorically that both Governor Abdulrasaq and his brother, Isiaka are no longer on speaking terms right now.
Alabi is said to be a victim of this silent feud between the two brothers, given his close relationship with Isiaka who facilitated his appointment as deputy governor.
Governor Abdulrasaq is said to feel that his deputy is more loyal to Isiaka than to him his boss.This, sources disclosed, was responsible for the shabby treatment Alabi has been receiving from the Governor which started manifesting less than one year of the duo in office.
Abdulrasaq, sources further disclosed, told some people during a family function in Abuja recently that he is on the look out for someone who will be more loyal to him and not to his family members , of which he has found Alabi, his deputy most wanting.
It was alleged that Isiaka’s recommendation of the then relatively unknown Alabi for the deputy governor’s post was a ploy to keep an eye on his brother’s administration. The governor’s latest moves seems to suggest that he believes the allegation may have a true ring to it.
Another reason given for Abdulrasaq’s decision to dump Alabi, according to sources, was the inability of the deputy to properly coordinate the Kwara South political activities for his boss. Kwara south is the zone where the governor is facing major opposition. It is the zone where he has been brought almost to his knees by leading members of the ruling party, APC
Top among the party leaders who wrestled power with the governor are the former chairman, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, State Assembly member, Prince Saheed Popoola and many others.
At the beginning of the administration, Abdulrasaq had reportedly planned to make Alabi preside over the political affairs of the Kwara south and entrench his (the governor ) interest and influence in the zone.
He was reported to have promised to avail Alabi generous financial resources to enable him accomplish the task he gave to him. The deputy was excited, hopeful and determined to deliver. Hope and expectations however changed into disappointment and frustration for the deputy governor as nothing of the promises came forth from the Governor.
For reason Alabi could not fathom, nor was he intimated, the Governor turned around and gave Sen. Makanjuola Ajadi, a political elder in Kwara South the task which he had earmarked for the deputy. From then on, things began to deteriorate for the deputy in the administration.
It got so bad that financial crisis became his constant companion, as all he got from his position as second citizen were salary and allowance which were barely enough to keep the wolves from his door. His private water company practically folded while he also battled rent arrears at his private residence in Lekki, Lagos.
As deputy, Alabi has demonstrated uncommon loyalty to his boss and he has always discharged his responsibilities with diligence. Although his job has been reduced to merely representing the Governor at public functions, sources close to the deputy said he was never found wanting.
Despite this, Alabi is said to be struggling financially as his office was not well funded by the Governor. Glaring effect of this, is the sorry state of his office. Many doors,including the one leading directly to his office are reportedly begging for repair. The furniture are not left out.
Situation reports from the deputy governor’s office show that there’s little or no activity as most staff no longer come regularly. Alabi himself, according to sources, spends most of the time outside the office. “He just dash in and out, once in a while”, revealed a source.
At the height of the neglect by his boss, Alabi was said to have contemplated resignation, but he changed his mind because of the embarrassment such move could cause the Governor’ s younger brother, Isiaka who brought him into the government.
Insiders revealed further that Alabi had before now ,had the premonition that the Governor will not retain him for the second term .
National Pilot gathered that the Governor has listed some names of possible replacement for his deputy. Prominent among those being considered to run with the Governor in the coming election, according to sources are, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, Commissioner for Finance, Oyeyemi Florence and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mrs Adebukola Risikat Babalola.
While speaking to National Pilot, Special adviser to the Governor on Political communication, Bashir Adigun dismissed the report as baseless, illogical and unfounded,describing it as a figment of the imagination of detractors.
Adigun said, “It’s the figment of imagination of detractors of the Government. It is baseless, illogical and unfounded.This must be beer palour gossip not worthy of publication by any credible media”.
