Date: 2015-05-13

The aspiration of Senator Bukola Saraki to preside over the 8th senate has received a boost yesterday with the Ilorin Emirate Descendants' Progressive Union (IEDPU) in Kwara State, saying the state's former governor is eminently qualified to occupy the position.

IEDPU is the apex organization for all socio-cultural associations in Ilorin Emirate comprising five local governments of the state. National President of the union, Alhaji AbdulHamid Adi, alongside the National Secretary, Dr. Hamzat Abdulraheem at a press conference decried what the group called the marginalization of Ilorin and Kwara state in north-central region.

"While the old Benue Plateau has produced the longest serving head of state, three senate presidents including the incumbent, the small part of old North-western state (now Niger) has produced two heads of state, it is only old Kwara State which makes up Kwara and Kogi that has not been fortunate and opportune to occupy such exalted positions," the national president said.

Adi said senator Saraki has governed the "heterogeneous" state for eight years where he performed creditably well even as he also led the governors' forum which he took to an enviable position. "We are therefore deeply concerned that within northern political arrangement to which Ilorin Emirate squarely belongs with all commitment and loyalty, the area is continuously being marginalized for unspecified reasons.

He said athough IEDPU is apolitical and would remain so for the development of its people, it is however incumbent on it to react to issues affecting the community and the future generation. He added that Saraki like his father, late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, is "a bridge builder, highly detribalized and listening politician."

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