Date: 2018-05-10

Al-Rasheed Alex Kehinde Bankole, known as KAB in the Kwara State political circles, is an aspirant to the Kwara State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, he speaks on why Bukola Saraki should be given a shot at the presidency and why he thinks it is time for the North-Central to rule.

You have been advocating that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki should be the next President of Nigeria. What informed this?

You are right. I think it is time for Nigerians to summon the courage and give the Senate President, Bukola Saraki the opportunity to lead the youths and entire Nigeria to the promised land, Nigerians should do everything within their reach to ensure that Saraki emerges as the winner of the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.

Why?

When you look at the history of Bukola Saraki, you will discover that he is the only true politician that has remained in existence in the history of Nigeria. Nigerians should give the North-Central a chance to become the next president because the people of Kwara State have not had any opportunity to lead the country. This is even the time to give Saraki the opportunity to rule the country in view of the current security threat rocking Nigeria.

Merely looking at Saraki's history or from the foundation, Saraki created a layout for the people of Kwara State as the governor, he laid the foundation of good governance and solid economy in the state, he is responsible for projecting Kwara State as a vibrant agricultural state to the entire world.

Are you saying he is the only qualified candidate from the North central?

Well, we have seen his antecedents. Saraki is not selfish in governance; he is disciplined so much that he did not allow his immediate sister to step in as governor and I will soon embark on a massive campaign for him. I know for a fact that the entire stakeholders and the leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the North-Central are totally behind Saraki.

I have consulted widely with the elders, stakeholder and the youths who are all behind Saraki.

The present situation Kwara is enjoying now is due to the foresight and the plans that he had projected for the state.

And this is the only reason you think he is the best?

The Senate President is the only politician who is based in Abuja and practicing true politics. The peace that both the legislative and the executive arm of government are enjoying today is based on his understanding and management structure. It has never happened in the history of Nigeria that a serving Senate President would submit himself for corruption trial in order to fight for the nation to move forward, he gave support to the anti-corruption crusade that Buhari is fighting in order to boost our economy.

Saraki is the only Nigerian politician who has surpassed the achievement of his late father, Olusola Saraki who held sway as Senate leader when he was at the National Assembly. You will agree that the adherence to the rule of law and practice of constitutional democracy remains the focal point of Saraki's crusade as he chairs the National Assembly. This is not surprising though, he had vowed that he will abide by the principles of the rule of law in order to make the arm of government more responsive and their constitutional roles of lawmaking, legislating and oversight along with budgeting which is core and shows how responsive a government can be, the Senate under Saraki is built around people

Are you looking at being his campaign manager or being in his team?

I am not advocating for him for my personal interest but for the interest of the North Central and the country as a whole. I have my own ambition and that is to represent Oke-Ero Constituency in the State House of Assembly but I know it is time for the North-Central to be given the opportunity to rule Nigeria.

I have distinguished myself in the control of the entire youths of Oke-Ero and the entire Kwara, I know what they want and their expectations and I know I have what it takes to serve their interest in the assembly. My interest is mainly in the development of those residents at both the rural and urban area of the state, it is time to do my part in developing my community.