By Mummini Abdulkareem
The Chief Imam of Omu-Aran, Sheik Sodeeq Afolayan has seriously lamented the role of leaders in the frequent crises rocking the leadership of the ruling party in the region.
The cleric, who spoke yesterday in Omu-Aran during a special prayer organised to mark the acquittal of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki by the Supreme Court over allegation of false declaration of asset brought against him by the Federal Government, decried frequent petitions by indigenes of the region against their colleagues occupying positions of authority for selfish reasons.
The interdenominational prayer was officiated by the Chief Imam and Rev. Canon Stephen Adeyemi of St. Paul Anglican Cathedral Church, Omu- Aran at the instance of Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, at the latter’s residence.
He called for unity among leaders and followers in the political dynasty of the Senate President to further move the structure to a new height especially as the 2019 General Elections draw nearer.
On the contest for positions for House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate in the ruling party come 2019, Sheikh Afolayan noted that all the interested aspirants should come up with consensus candidates with the support of the state leadership of the party to forestall animosity and rancour.
“Our leaders in Kwara South are giving us problems for their failure to unite on whatever position and aspiration they seek.
“Offa is not happy that Isin man is at the National Assembly,ย ย Irepodun don’t want to see Ekiti in position, Oke-Ero is not happy over where the slot is zoned to. Same scenario is playing out in the contest for other positions and everybody is petitioning against one another, even as members of the same structure. How do we make progress?
“My message here for all the party leaders and stalwarts that gathered here today is that of unity of purpose and solidarity within our fold and to always wait for our turn while working collectively for the progress of the Saraki dynastyโ, he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Makanjuola, said the nation’s judicial system had set one of the best legacies with the discharge and acquittal of Saraki, over alleged false assets declaration.
Makanjuola, a lawyer, said the Supreme Court’s judgement, which dismissed the allegations against Saraki was an indication that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.
Makanjuola explained that the rationale behind the verdict is that rule of law must be adhered to at all times no matter whose interest is at stake.
Makanjuola said, “I’m a legal practitioner of 20 years standing. Out of my 20 years of legal career, I have seen one of the best judicial legacies of our time. And this is to let you know that yes, no matter what you believe without your kind of insinuations or assumptions about the judiciary, that our judiciary is still the last hope of a common man, be it high and low.
Speaking on the prayer session, Makanjuola, a former member of the House of Representatives said “the rationale behind the prayer session is just to give glory, honour and adoration to God Almighty for seeing my boss, the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, through the trials, the tribulations and the journey he went through in the hands of the enemies and detractors.
The state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani, said the event was organised to express gratitude and pray for God’s guidance in Saraki’s political decisions.
In his remarks, former Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Hon Lukman Owolewa thanked God for the victory and hailed the judiciary over the acquittal for standing as the last hope for the ordinary people.
The Director – General of Abubakar Saraki Constituency office, Alh Musa Abdullahi, the state secretary of APC, Hon.Tunji Ayeni and Kwara South Senatorial Chairman of the party, Alh Jimoh Balogun were among the dignitaries present at the event.
