Excerpting from Ernest Shonekan, Nigeria interim president in 1993, description of man of virtue in one of Nigeria daily interview with him, where he said; “the worth of a man is not in tongue but his positive impacts on his environment”, which aptly portray, without exaggeration, the emergence of Abubakar Olubukola Saraki as the Senate President of the 8th session in the red house, been a notable uniqueness as it speaks volume of  appreciation of his achievements among Kwarans.

Hitherto, Senator Saraki during his time as a governor was the first Governor to spend four solid years as Chairman of Governors’ Forum, a sensitive post that can only be entrusted with a person on high profile achievements.

As a former governor before senatorial title, his days in office as then Kwara State governor, demarcated politics from administration to extent that his physical projects were not hampered and does not allow his ruling party (PDP) then,  influence his dictates.

With  series of awards and recognition locally and globally on his reforms in education, Health, Housing, Power, Water, Roads, Empowerment, Industrialization, Sports and Agriculture, which cut across all the three senatorial districts of the state, it is a volume that makes him a God father of his own kingdom.

Diplomatically, Saraki controlled cultism in the higher institutions and even beyond along with how he curbed social vices to ensure adequate security of lives and properties and to restore Kwara to its right footing.

The current Senate President of eighth NASS session led  administration as a governor of Kwara state never witnessed any sort of negative demonstration or protest of labour unions, civil society, religious or ethnic groups, because of his all-inclusive administration including   election period, unlike other states, Kwara has most peaceful, free and fair elections, devoid of violence.

In fulfilling one of his responsibilities to give Kwara state a new look; he initiated projects that would put aesthetics on Kwara (not only Ilorin as a capital city) but other parts of the state. Such as, the first-Fly-Over, Metropolitan Square, Traffic-lights, Directional Maps, Road beautification.  He also upgraded and elevated the social and economic status of traditional rulers and title-holders in the state.

He does not know who horse is gored, when it comes to telling the truth, even it affects him; an evidenced in his decision on power shift from Kwara Central to Kwara South.

Forwardly, on major challenges as growth and development, unemployment and poverty, the incumbent has been on top of it through mass recruitment of youths and women across the state.

It would be recalled that Saraki launched two Grader machines for maintenance and rehabilitation of rural roads under his constituency as part of his people oriented programs to meet the yearning and aspiration of the people of Kwara Central Senatorial district.

The senator Saraki who used the occasion to mention few attested facts of his efforts toward his constituency, highlighted his provision of motorized and hand-pump boreholes across the constituency, supply and installation of electrical transformers, renovation of health care centre, construction of drainage and erosion control etc.

In addition to this, Saraki philanthropist sprung to extent of provision for distribution of Jamb forms with free tutorial classes, supporting community’s projects and also made available educational and financial intervention through his constituency office. Most importantly to mention is Senator Saraki’s passion in securing federal appointment for the teeming unemployed youth across his constituency and also encouraging them by providing funding for entrepreneurship.

With all these achievements the people of Kwara teamed up and supported his ambition and pursuit of Senate Presidency with prayers. The GAMJI Members Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter and the state chapter of the Association of Marketers organized special prayers to seek for divine intervention the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President.

Across Kwara state, where the senate president hails, prayers were said were his kwarans contributions in achieving sit of Nigeria third citizen.

A Kwaran group popularly known as GAMJI  was group first sighted to organized  prayer on behalf of their son at Emir’s palace, Ilorin, which was led by Imam Soliu Meji and Imam Sulaiman Jamiu, while that of the association of marketers took place at Ilorin Eid praying ground and it was coordinated by a prominent scholar in Ilorin, Sheikh Abdulrasheed Yusuf Al-Adabiyy.  All the occasioned prayers were recorded to be well attended by members and leaders of the association across the state.
These organized prayers saw notable dignitaries in Kwara including ; Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, Alhaji Aliyu Adebayo Mohammed, Balogun Baare, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad and Alhaji Yahaya Gobri were among the dignitaries at the event. While the GAMJI members in attendance included Dr Yusuf Garba Manjo, Engr Usman Baba Jubril, Mallam Saliman Malik Olokoto, Engr Mayaki, Alhaji Sidiq Olarewaju and Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin among others; they were the ones carried out by muslim of Kwara state.

Meanwhile,  Christians counterparts too held different  prayer sessions; Pastor Bisi Oyewo, led  one of the sessions, during which he expressed belief that  Saraki has contributed immensely to the growth and success of the party and ought to be rewarded.

One would clearly deduce from the Kwarans contribution that Saraki is indeed an achiever that is loved his people, his service to humanity ,love for this state and entire people of Nigeria is evident in his emergence as the Senate President.

According to one of the Kwara indigenes, Charles Ibitoye, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Omu-Aran town in Kwara state, the election of Saraki as senate president was a unique turning point in the political history of Kwara.

The Chief said, having the number three position in the country occupied by an illustrious son of Kwara and no other person than Saraki is a thing of joy to them in Kwara as is a legacy laid down by the late strong man of Kwara politics and former Senate Leader, the late Dr Olusola Saraki, the father of the current senate president.

“This legacy was concretely built upon for years by the newly elected Senate President and APC leader in the state. I wish to thank Nigerians, especially the contributors who made it possible and urge them to keep the flag flying in the interest of the country” he added.

On the side of Peter Esan, a banker,  it was a good development, and that Saraki emerged through the right process, adding that, though the party sees it as morally wrong, and since he has been sworn-in, journey continues.

Samuel Dada, the Alofa of Iloffa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara, attributed Saraki’s emergence as senate president to his exemplary political leadership style within the state and beyond.

Mr. Dada said, “Saraki has the love and affection of the country, his party, people and supporters at heart, so his emergence as the 8th senate president is a welcome development”.

Also, giving his take was the former SSA on ICT, Hamza Usman, he explained that The constitution does not in any way mention as a precedence or incidental index d role of political parties in d emergence of NASS Leadership.

The Elegosi of Egosi kingdom,  Daniel Dada, said, “Saraki has the capacity and capability to ensure the desired change and transformation envisioned for the country”. He described  Saraki’s election as president of the 8th senate as a result of hard work, diligence and total commitment to emancipate the state and the country from the shackles of underdevelopment.

He urged other senators, especially the principal officials, to close ranks in order to ensure a unified and transformed country.

“This is unique in the history of the state, it is an unprecedented political development that calls for celebration”, he said.

Interestingly, despite several days of confusions within All Progressive Congress (APC) over Saraki boycotting the party initial plan and emerged as senate president, APC eventually agreed to his emergence to the sit of NASS head even though the party has to accept its faith from the ugly incident.

However, APC, through the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, released a statement that confirmed Saraki as the Senate President on Friday and that the party had resolved it internal crisis.

Although, there had been an earlier acceptance of Saraki as pronounced, within the eighth floor members of NASS who voted him, by President Muhammadu Buhari and, that of the APC was disregard as unnecessary since recognition was given from the presidency.

The Buhari’s condition for accepting Saraki as senate president was base on the fact that he was elected by members of his floor and that due process was believed to have been followed, but the president said he would have prefer the party’s decision prevail.