The politics of MOU in Kwara
It appears that, the Saraki Political Dynasty which has been reigning for about 40 years now is going to face its biggest political challenge come 2019. This, in my observation, informs its recent political gambit all in an attempt to maintain its dominance in Kwara state politics. There is absolutely nothing wrong for a politician […]
It appears that, the Saraki Political Dynasty which has been reigning for about 40 years now is going to face its biggest political challenge come 2019. This, in my observation, informs its recent political gambit all in an attempt to maintain its dominance in Kwara state politics.
There is absolutely nothing wrong for a politician to map out a strategy in order to win an election, but however, the question begging for an answer is, can its new political strategy make it survive beyond 2019? Only time will tell!
The new strategy of the Saraki Political Dynasty includes the signing of a political Memorandum Of Understanding, MOU, which promised to shift power come 2023 to Kwara North In return for their bloc votes come 2019. The zone which has been agitating for power shift has never produced a governor from 1999 to date.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Saraki, all major PDP stakeholders in the state, the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Rt. Hon. Rasak Atunwa who agreed to serve for only one term. Traditional rulers were also not left out in the signing of the MOU.
In my observation, the main lesson to be learnt from the new political gimmick is that, the political terrain has clearly changed from what it used to be. There were allegations in the past where the hitherto political kingmakers in the state determine everything in a unilateral way. The new political dynamics and calculus have shown that things have changed. One could say it is now a different ball game all together.
Kwara state politics beginning from when some part of Kogi state was with Kwara, it has been dominated by the Saraki Political Dynasty. Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the former Senate leader, was instrumental in the emergence of Governor Adamu Atta in 1979. Having parted ways with Governor Atta he was instrumental in the emergence of Governor Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo in 1983 against the former.
Similarly, he was instrumental to the emergence of Governor Mohammed Shaaba Lafiaji in 1992. Dr. Saraki was also very instrumental in the emergence of Rear Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal, in 1999. Having also parted ways with Governor Lawal he brought his son Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki in 2003.
Upon the completion of his son’s two terms tenure in office in 2011, the older Saraki wanted his daughter Senator Gbemi Ruqayya Olusola Saraki to succeed her brother, but for the first in Kwara politics he didn’t get his way. Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the son, emerged as the new head of the Saraki Political Dynasty from that time.
Politics is a game of all possibilities. Politics is full of surprises.With the new political dynamics in the state, many political observers are eager to see whether the 40 years Saraki Political Dynasty will come to an end by 2019 or will go beyond that.
May God bless Nigeria!
Nurudeen Dauda, Kaduna