By Mumini AbdulKareem
Former chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and a chieftain of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof AbdulRaheem Oba Shuaib has open up on his alleged ministerial ambition even as he said that he cannot control those agitating for his appointment.
It was gathered that top party leaders in the state have recently intensified lobby at the presidency to replace the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohamed who is occupying Kwara’s sole ministerial slot.
The minister is reportedly not having a rosy relationship with other party leaders over issue of who is the leader of the party with accusation that he h not used position to serve Kwarans as expected.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to announce dissolution of the federal executive any time now ahead of his low key May 29 inauguration.
He is also expected to subsequently make the announcement of the new cabinet said to have been complied after inauguration.
But Prof Oba while speaking with newsmen at a special Ramadan prayer held in his Adewole residence on Sunday neither confirmed nor deny interest in the position adding that everything is all about service.
“So long one is alive, one should be willing to serve the people in whatever capacity in any other place when the opportunity is there as the peoples servant, one should be ready.
“I have no control over the wishes and prayers of the people (who are clamouring for my ministerial appointment). We will take whatever Allah wishes and gives to us (in the coming cabinet of President Buhari), he added.
He however said he cannot set agenda for the incoming government because the agenda is already set in the manifestoes and consultations.
“And recently, the transition committee has just submitted its report. All these should be aggregated and implemented as part of the agenda. So whatever should change the lives of the people in the next four years should be priorities.
On the ongoing Ramadan, he said he wished the people the very best of worship and prodcutive holy month and called on them to pray for the state as we prepare to celebrate Sallah after the fast.
Similarly, the Kwara State Coordinator of Kwara Consultative Forum, Hassan Ibrahim Sani said Kwara central has not conceded the ministerial position.
“This is not a matter of concession. What I believe is that if we have not given other people the opportunity to serve, we won know that there are better hands to handle offices. We have to give honour to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he has done proud in Kwara state but the fact remains that if somebody like Prof Oba has been given the opportunity, the state would have been far better.
He said the forum which has membership from the three senatorial districts in Kwara State said the group not being unfair or insensitive to the aspirations of the regions in the APC by asking for the ministerial position for Pro Oba adding that situation on ground don’t call for us to be sentimental.
“Situation controls us and we don’t have to be sentimental. Let’s give responsibilities to those that can handle it effectively to benefit the people of the state in general. Not just to distribute according to tribe or religion”, he added. He added that incoming politicians should learn from the outgoing set to better the state.
President at the occasion was party members and chieftains across from across the state including a former governorship aspirant, Yakubu Gobir who called on the party members elected to serve to prioritise service.
