The chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr.  Bukola Saraki in this interview with ABDULLAHI OLESIN, decries a statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan that states whose governors are not in good term in the presidency risk development. He reasons that even if a state governor and the president are not on the same page, the nation and the constitution should be supreme for the interest and development of everybody. 

How would you react to the mammoth crowd that welcomed you from the Airport?

I think a lot of people want to show their loyalty and support. I also think it was a reaction to the other rally by the PDP. The last time this happened was when I was the governor; when I was seeking for re-election.

Even then, it was when we got to the Sawmill area or Baboko that people started trooping out, but the crowd today (Saturday) started from the Airport. I believe people just want to show their loyalty.

Could that be a challenge?

Not a challenge, I think it was a message out that this is where the people of Kwara are and that this is the party we belong to. What was even remarkable was the simplicity of the party’s broom, how people held it and show off with it. I think it was a clear message. I want to thank the people of Kwara State and our supporters for the love and support despite the intimidation.

What is your take on the presidential rally held in Ilorin recently?

I think the theme of the rally was freedom, freedom and freedom. I asked myself freedom from what? Which freedom? Is it freedom from the government that is living by actions and not by promises?

If you look at the number of jobs that have been given to the youths; what KWABES is doing is far many times better than any government has done for any Kwaran. If you look at empowerment that is being done by the government, one was done on Monday and another one slated for tomorrow.

There are renovations of hospitals going on. You would have thought that the federal government is coming to tell what they have done or what they will do for Kwarans. The entire presidency was in Kwara that day. I remember when I was the governor, we spent up to N6 billion on the Baruten road we did, it was not a state road but we did it because of our people.

Kaiama road that the state government is embarking on now is a federal road. They just came for promises. So, we are the one freeing ourselves from them and that’s why we say there must be a change. And I keep on telling Kwarans and Nigerians, it’s not personal.

If it’s because of our own individual comfort I would have been in the ruling party today, but I cannot continue to be in a party where we worked for, campaigned and we did everything but you cannot say this is one thing that you have benefited. I would not have left when my people were benefiting from it.

The last time we benefited was during Yar’Adua’s tenure and that was the power project. There is nothing to show for it. Let’s leave rhetoric; let’s say this is this. I would have expected in a rally like that, that they’ll say this is what Kwarans have benefited, but the theme there was freedom and a few people who have never been able to deliver politically, who believes this is their opportunity, but Insha Allah, they will see.

You know I said it three years ago or two and half years ago. I say look now, who do you see, you will not see anybody, but I promise you, six months, nine months or one year to the election, they will start coming.

Where were they in 2011? We did not see anybody! Where were they in 2012 and 2013? Now that it’s one year to election and seven months to primaries, posters have started coming. What have these people done for their people? Let them say it. Let them put it to the table. And let Kwarans judge – who is there for them at all times and all seasons.

What efforts are you making to ensure that people will not use Senator Gbemisola against her father’s political dynasty?

As I said many a times-that it is not uncommon sometimes for us to take different positions; but I believe that the game is not over until it’s over. I think in this kind of things, it seems to happen like that so that at the end of the day, things will work out well. That’s just my position.

How would you react to the sack of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi as the minister of Sports?

You all know Bolaji, he worked with me when I was governor and one of our shining stars at that time. Then, when he became the minister, he performed well. It’s unfortunate that the President said he no longer want a performing minister as part of his cabinet.

For some of us, Bolaji has also shown character and how character politician should be, a high more kind of. We are proud of his achievements. The country also has felt his achievements. He has a great future ahead and we commend him for his character and performance.

What measures do you think could be taken to curtail Boko Haram

On the issue of Boko Haram, you see if I speak on any issue I do so with all sense of sincerity. It is not every issue that should take political colouration. On issues like this, we also have to play our own role in working with the federal government in ensuring that we make progress.

The issues at hand are too severe and there are two issues there; leadership and collaboration. The issue of leadership lies squarely on the door step of the president. The issue of collaboration as a country lies on all of us who are stakeholders. We should all do whatever we can, irrespective of our political differences.

What support a state governor can give, a community, traditional rulers, that is whatever political divides they find themselves should not be criteria or reasons for level or quantity of the support they will give.