Date: 2015-08-17

The media report that the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has found its voice and wish to move with the tide - sweeping the country of all corrupt tendencies needs to be commended and celebrated even in the market places.

The state chapter of the party through its chairman, Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani had in July this year disagreed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) over the invitation of Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the former governor of the state, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

In that instant case, we cautioned the party chairman, Hon. Balogun-Fulani to exercise restraint in commenting on issues that border essentially on national interest, particularly, when it is done in the name of the party. Hon Balogun-Fulani was too in a haste to describe the invitation as witch-haunt, belated exercise and an affront on the 'mother' of the state which may lead to protest by women in the state. We advised him this way:

"It baffles logic of reasoning why the chairman rushed to the press on a matter that has just been opened to investigations. Has Mr. Fulani considered the legal implication of his utterances? We advise him and others sold to unbridled loyalty not to view all matters with their political antennae.

"We wish to state without equivocation that never again shall we allow issues that border essentially on our corporate entity as APC in the state to go unchecked because such may impugn on our integrity as a people. We are in support of the anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration which we are sure is the only way that can guarantee the survival of the common man in this country." The statement reads.

Are we not vindicated? It is true that not every human being can move at the same pace, psychologists expounded that some are fast learners and others may be slow learners. That our chairman starts rather late in the day to identify with the anti-corruption crusade is excusable; he is caught between loyalty and reality. He must have realized very lately that he remains the only chairman in all chapters of the party working against the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari.

As a loyal party man, we expect our dear chairman to assist the government at the central as a whistle-blower by exposing more characters that have fretted away our commonwealth in the time past. He has responsibilities to both his state chapter and the national executive council where is a member to help the government to deliver on her promises to Nigerians.

We also stated in that intervention that, "local government staff are owed between 4 -5 months salary, parastatals could not meet their financial obligations and other challenges as you are aware of; would it not amount to gains should Mrs. Saraki refund some monies into the coffers of the state like some high profile Nigerians have opted to do instead of public prosecution?" Has the situation changed, three weeks after?

However, we want to encourage Mr. President to push forward with his avowed readiness to begin the prosecution of those investigated so far. This is the only way we can deter those who seek offices to wring out survival or dish out favoritism.

We wish to advise the chairman for the umpteenth time to cross check his facts from informed quarters before rushing to address the press. The change mantra sweeps both the causative agent and the people around, this is one fact we must screw to our hearts.

Kayode Oyin-Zubair
For: Caucus for Progressive Change
All Progressives Congress (APC),
Kwara State
Monday 18th August, 2015