Date: 2012-12-19

In 2002 at the height of the violent political debacle between former Kwara state governor, late Alhaji Mohammed Lawal and his political godfather, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the late political warlord made a "strange" decision: he opted to contest the 2003 poll and personally confront Lawal as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For Saraki, now late, it was the only remaining option in fighting a battle that had threatened the very core of his leadership, first of the political dynasty he started building after losing a parliamentary election in 1964 and second but perhaps more importantly, his acceptance as the numero uno in the affairs of his Ilorin emirate.

Saraki had picked Lawal, a retired naval chief as candidate for the All Peoples Party (APP) which would later transform into the present day All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) against other candidates for the 1999 election.

This new choice was in many ways different from his choices for the same position during previous elections. In 1979, he chose Adamu Attah, an Igbira man for the post. In 1983, he allied with Cornelius Adebayo, an Igbomina man, for the post and in 1993, he chose Shaaba Lafiagi, a Nupe man, for the post.

But Lawal, his choice for the 1999 election was a true blood Ilorin man like himself only that they were from two opposing traditional blocks in the ancient city. While Lawal came from the Yoruba stock, Saraki was Fulani and for those who know the history of rivalry between the two, it would not have come as a surprise that they tried to slug it out in the political arena. But an ‘Oloye' as governor? Many of his followers were said to have kicked against the idea and openly told him so.

"We were taken aback by that decision when he told us", a former commissioner who was also close to the political strategies of the Sarakis at the time recollected. "That was where some of us stood up to say no, you cannot do that and we began to sell to him the idea of picking his son, Dr. Bukola as the candidate", the former commissioner said.

After much persuasion, the old man yielded to the pressure and the day he was to make the decision public, he wept. That decision to pick Bukola has now become a blessing to the political dynasty given the unfolding circumstances of the political structure now operational in the state. Bukola went ahead to spend two terms in office, in itself a record in the state. But more than that he fought a battle many believed saved the integrity of his family and enthroned him as successor to the political office of his father.

Today as the former governor who now represents the Kwara central district at the senate marks his 50th birthday, there is little to doubt that he has become the true successor to his father. In retrospect, there are those who believe that battle of wits between Bukola and his father during the 2011 election has worked out for the good of all. If he had lost the election to his father's Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), the battle of supremacy would have continued between himself and his sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki who no doubt also possesses leadership acumen and was obviously well beloved by their father.

But although Bukola and PDP won the election, no one was in doubt they did so using what they had learnt from the godfather himself and were not going to gloat over the victory. This much the incumbent governor, AbdulFattah Ahmed acknowledged in his first reaction to his electoral victory.

"We have been able to go through an election process and come out successful courtesy of providence, not man, and for every step we have taken they were because we learnt from him, and we owe our success to him so there is no issue of bringing him back or not. We have always been part and parcel of his political empire."

In his inaugural speech, Ahmed still made glowing reference to Oloye when he said: "I thank our father, His Eminence, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the Waziri of Ilorin, whose many years of dedication to the service of our people has set the stage for everything that we have achieved. Without the sacrifices that Oloye has made, perhaps, none of us would be here today. Our father, we remain eternally grateful. May the Almighty Allah continue to keep you and abide by you."

Immediately after the election, Bukola, whose party had then produced virtually all the elected political offices swung into action initiating reconciliation between the two groups. The first effort was to ensure that public discussions and celebrations of the PDP victory among party faithfuls were not gratuitous. And soon enough the internal conflict that had threatened to tear the Saraki dynasty apart was settled.

The elder Saraki returned to Ilorin about a month after the election to a warm reception organised by members of the ACPN and PDP as indication of the new rapport between them. At a prayer session to mark the reconciliation, the elder Saraki later received the new governor and his son in audience where he prayed for them and told his supports in ACPN the battle was over; no winner no vanquished.

Bukola, was the first to break the news of reconciliation to newsmen on his arrival at the Ilorin International Airport where he told them the development would assure the new administration in the state of every needed level of support to succeed. His words: "I want to categorically confirm to you that the family is back to one", he said during the brief encounter adding that the motivational factor behind the reconciliation "is our collective desire to move the state forward and build on Baba's legacies.

The love of the Saraki's political dynasty for the common man is still firm. We have always been one. Everybody is working to have this unity. What is important now is for us to move forward. If all of us now live up behind the new governor, there is the greater hope that he will succeed."

Corroborating his son, the elder Saraki said that the reconciliation was initiated by Bukola and that he succumbed to pressure from him so that "peace and unity can reign supreme in the state." He disclosed that reconciliation became necessary so as to prevent other political parties from capitalizing on the crisis by using the opportunity to infiltrate the state.

The impact of that reconciliation was the apparent wiling retirement of the elder Saraki into the background in order to give his son and scion, the opportunity to lead his political empire. And since he assumed the position, there is little to show he has not been prepared for the task. Bukola has so far succeeded in bringing together all the elders who dined and wined with his father on strategies.

But he has equally surrounded himself by a group of emerging political elite, just like his farher, starting from the governor, down to the Speaker, Razaq Atunwa, to the new faces in the national assembly as well as the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi in the federal executive council. It is a team of the future of Kwara, effectively able to move the state beyond where Oloye left it while not belittling the elders at home.

From current indications, the team has not let down the system. Zakari Mohammed, chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs has constantly brought Kwara into the news with mentions of hisname. Ditto Ali Ahmad, who chairs the committee on Judiciary and also Mustapha Moshood who is Vice chairman of House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream). There is also Abubakar Baraje, until recently the acting National Chairman of the PDP, all of them working together as a team to pursue the agenda under a new Leader: Bukola Saraki.

This much a political associate of the late Saraki Alhaji Sheu Usma Mustapha acknowledged when he told newsmen his friend had foresight by tutoring his son, Bukola, to take over the political leadership from him even before his death. Mustapha, whose son, Moshood is already on the Bukola team, said Kwara is in a safe hands with Bukola Saraki as they are already addressing him as their leader and he's been piloting the political affairs of the state since.

Thus for those expecting a turmoil after the demise, former journalist and one time chairman of Moro local government area, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Adisa said they should perish the thought. "There won't be any political rumble, there won't be any political chaos, we will never allow that", Adisa, said, adding: "I know you people are expecting turbulence in the politics but I can't see that happening because he has built so many of us and we will never allow anyone to rubbish his legacies."

Perhaps to buttress this point, traditional rulers across the state have been pledging their loyalty to the new Leader. For instance when he went to thank them for supporting the family during their period of mourning, traditional kingmakers in Ilorin Emirate council expressed their support for the emergence of the senator as the political leader of the state in the steps of his father.

The kingmakers who preside over the five divisions of the emirate are the Balogun Fulani,Alhaji Atiku Duroshinlohun, Baalogun Gambari, Alhaji Aliu Mohammed, Balogun Ajikobi, Alhaji Issa Mohammed, Balogun Alanamu, Alhaji Abubakar Akanbi and Mogaji Are, Alhaji Aremu Zubair. Their decision came on the heels of similar concession by their own leader and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari who had during a similar visit by Bukola vowed to fight anyone who attempts to cause disunity in the Saraki family.

"Everyone knew my relationship with Baba", the Emir had said at that occasion, adding: " I risked my position, I risked my job for him. Nobody should do anything negative concerning the Saraki family, otherwise I will fight that person.

"My prayer is for the continued peace and progress of Ilorin and Kwara and I want all of you who are followers of Saraki to also toe the same path. Baba's death is the beginning of a new era and I want to appeal to all of you not to fight yourselves. I release myself to the family in any way they might want to make use of my services."

The emirate chiefs on their part said Bukola should naturally step into the shoes of his father. According to them Bukola has bee has been performing the role of a political leader effectively even before the death of his father. If the reception at the emirate was huge, that of Kwara south, particularly, Offa, Erin-Ile and Ajase-Ipo was awesome. It was no longer a mourning but a political celebration of the new Ledaer. Just as well various trade unions, professional bodies, artisans, market men and women and religious groups had during their condolence visits to the Sarakis, similarly pledged their support for Senator Saraki's political leadership of the state.

The link between Bukola and Oloye, as his late father was fondly called by many, appears more than coincidental to any observer. Like his father, the young Bukola studied Medicine, practiced for a while before joining the banking sector where again his father had made a foray as an astute investor.

And in year 2000, he got to himself into the political arena when then President Olusegun Obasanjo made him a Special Assistant on Budget. In this role he initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies. He also served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Non-Oil Revenue Generation during the period.

It was from there his father brought him home in 2003 to become governor. It was while he was governor that he engaged his father in the political battle that was the last his father would fight alive. It was from the battle field that he got to the senate where again, he has not left anyone in doubt he is there for business.

One singular contribution the former governor has made on the floor of the green chamber that would remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria's history is his demand for a probe of the subsidy regime in the oil industry. The outcome of that motion has rocked Nigeria so much that it is perhaps worth the while reproducing his reasoning for that motion.

The motion, titled "Transparency and Accountability In Fuel Subsidy Management", reads: "The fuel subsidy scheme is a program designed to make petroleum products more accessible affordable and cushion the effect of market prices on the poor masses.

"This policy has been long standing. This motion does not seek to abolish the policy, (that's a debate for another day). But for now, we are concerned to make the scheme more effective, transparent, efficient, corrupt free and work within the Appropriation, Fiscal Responsibility laws and in the interest of the masses for which it was set up. It is not set up to work for a few.

"We all recognize that the country may not afford to discard the policy until it has put the necessary measures in place to cushion the effect. However, it is irresponsible and not an excuse for us to implement the policy in a manner that endanger the economy at large and thereby impoverish the same people we care about.

"Those charged with administering this all-important task must operate within the tenets of the law, within recognized, accepted global governance parameters especially with respect to the authority of the National Assembly.

"I will think it's important we remind ourselves of our constitutional responsibility which by Section 80 (4) mandates that "No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. The matter before us goes to the root of our mandate- the reason for our being here, to protect the interest of our people and to ensure that their scarce resources are utilized efficiently.

"Presently, Now how can a single item expense line budgeted for 240b increase to N1.5 trillion? Over N1.3 trillion above budget. How can we fund that? Without having a deficit of greater than 6% Or depleting funds that should have gone into Power /Roads Then where is hope for 2011 budget. So all of us pledged to work for FGN to see this transformation of our Country must defend and shout, this is anti people. To keep quiet will amount to abetting this inefficiency.

"How else do we explain that in one accounting year we are spending N1.2 trillion on petroleum subsidy, which is 14 times the value of Capital budget for Power sector in 2011, Or 14 X power capital (87B) Or 9 X Roads (135B) Or 24 X Health capital or 5 X entire - maternal Or 24 X education capital or 4 X entire Or more alarming 4 X Defence / Security budget (445B)

"Those who are charged with revenues of this country must be called to account for every monies they received on behalf of the country. How else do we explain that the Appropriation Act makes provision for N240bn, meanwhile, the agency is spending 1.2trillion without recourse to the National assembly? The deficit by this trend will be about N1trillion, which is the equivalence of the entire Capital Budget for the year.

This impinges on the integrity of NASS. The 2011 appropriation Act clearly states how much is budged for Fuel subsidy. But to have a 20%, 30%, 40% variance can be argued but 700% is a slap

"There will be those who will argue that the entire increase is due to the volatility and increases in the international market prices of petroleum product. If you look at monthly figure crude oil price /subsidy

March $114 N72b, April $123 N105b, July $116 N186b, Aug $110 N185b so where is the correlation? This is merely a smoke screen and hardly the complete truth. Information made available to us confirm that it cannot all be attributable to international oil price movements but due to factors such as; wastefulness, misallocation, misappropriation, non-inspection and other forms of malpractices in the entire process.
"To support this the price of oil when the budget was approved and amended has not changed significantly as crude oil hovered around $80 - $110 per barrel.

For example if we take one of the products like kerosene that was never under NNPC but PPPRA which was set up to oversee the implementation of the federal government program relating to oil prices with adequate accountability safeguards. Now this product primarily account for a huge part of the subsidy bill even though the masses for which it was envisaged cant find it to buy because it has been cornered by those in aviation for aviation fuel.

"This is the situation we are dealing with where there are no inspections rather products sold at market prices in rural and inspected areas turn around and place bills on the subsidy scheme. To buttress my point, and I am not someone that believes everything I read in papers. Permit me to quote " That importers routinely falsify bills of lading, inflate the amount of fuel imported five-fold , then collect the government subsidy on all of it, and finally smuggle the fuel to a neighbouring Country to sell it for double or triple the price.

"This statement is strong from an International magazine, figure too huge to ignore, at worse let's satisfy our conscience that they are baseless allegations. This is why its key we get to the bottom of it, is because without knowing the real need of our Country re-subsidy you can't reach a conclusion to remove - i.e why the debate on removal can only be done when we have true picture.

"Or how else can we spend this amount where a single line expenditure is greater than entire budget. Mr. President when you inaugurated Finance Committee, in your speech you stated as key the issue of all revenue being captured. This is an example of an agency - just dipping his hand on government coffers why NNPC is behaving like Government within Government Surely if not access to the funds - They will have come for amendment to appropriation/ virement e.t.c

"When I first presented my motion on the 13th of September 2011 the challenge then was only 2011 Budget implementation Now just on Friday, CBN Governor alerted the nation that the scheme was now endangering our Naira. Why? Because these importers are now abusing the fx market. CBN has now banned them from the market - this is a serious indictment.

"What are they doing? Pure economic sabotage - something needs to be done urgently. We must show that this 7th Senate is about the people, men and women, who care about the people, with honour and integrity, last hope for common man and women. We must put an end to this corruption practice where an agency without budgeting spends extra budgets without approval of the National Assembly.

It amounts to economic sabotage by a few people that now threatens the implementation of entire Country budget. This makes nonsense of the entire budget process and the integrity of this chamber. It portrays a bad image for the Country and makes palliative progress for the poor impossible to implement or sustain.

"As I said this is not a day for the issue of whether or not fuel subsidy should be removed or sustained but without addressing this issue we cannot sustain subsidy. We must be sensible to our people, and get to show why this scheme is failing? who was responsible? Without this we can't conclude."

Bukola Saraki was born on December 19, 1962. He attended Corona School, Lagos from 1966 to 1972 for his primary school education. He attended King's College, Lagos from 1973 to 1973 to 1998 when he obtained his West African School Certificate. He attended Cheltenham College, London from 1979 to 1981 when he obtained his High School Certificate. He studied at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1997, when he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).

He worked as a Medical Officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex from 1987 to 1988. He worked as a Senior Casualty Officer at Royal Free Hospital, London from 1988 to 1989. He worked as Director (non-executive) at Societe Generale (Nig.) Limited from 1989 to 1990. He worked as Executive Director at Societe Generale (Nig.) Limited from 1990 to 2000. He worked for the Federal Government of Nigeria as Special Assistant to the President on Budget from 2000 to 2001.

He worked for the Federal Government of Nigeria as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Non-Oil Revenue Generation from 2000 to 2001. He worked as Executive Vice Chairman at Societe Generale (Nig.) Limited from 2001 to 2002. He contested and won the gubernatorial elections for the north-central state of Kwara in Nigeria, which was conducted on April 19, 2003.

He was sworn in as governor of Kwara State on May 29, 2003. He again contested and won the gubernatorial elections for the north-central state of Kwara in Nigeria, which was conducted on April 14, 2007. He was sworn in for a second time as governor of Kwara State on May 29, 2007.

At 50, and with the reign of leadership now effectively in his hand, many in his followership are praying publicly that what his father failed to achieve he would surpass. His father had been a medical doctor. He had been one. His father had been a senator.

He is one. His father was a successful leader of the people. His supporters pray he becomes one. His father attempted the presidency. He has tried once but stepped down in a display of political pragmatism. His father was Turaki of Ilorin. He is Turaki of the ancient city today. At 50, the future still holds much for the strategic political thinker.