Date: 2020-01-05

Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Kola Shittu, speaks to TUNDE OYEKOLA on the approach used by the state government in revoking the land titles on which the Ile Arugbo is situated, saying the governor is on vendetta mission against the Saraki family

What is the position of the PDP on the state government's recent revocation of a piece of land allegedly owned by a company belonging to the Saraki family?

The position of our party, the PDP, on the revocation and demolition of the land belonging to the late icon of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki by the state government is bad and we condemn it. We viewed it as a demonstration of Governor Abdurrahman Abdulrazaq’s vindictiveness and vendetta mission against the Saraki family. It is an action that every Kwaran should condemn because the action of the governor does not in any way reflect the interest of Kwarans. Such a move is capable of creating rivalry and crisis among people of Ilorin in particular and the state in general.

Are you in support of government position on the revocation of land titles?

No, we are not in support of such action. In our opinion, there is no basis or justification for the State Government to revoke the land which was duly acquired many years ago by the late Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki. This is a great error on the part of the governor and a greater disservice to the memory of Baba Oloye who during his lifetime, made sacrifices and contributions to the development of not only Ilorin Emirate but Kwara as a whole and even beyond. As it is well known to the members of the public, the landed property houses the popular Ile-Arugbo, where aged people used to converge to receive food, financial support and healthcare services sponsored by the late politician and philanthropist; a tradition that has remained unbroken years after Baba's demise as it has been sustained by his son, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Do you think the action of the government is right to revoke the land?

Although the government has power on the revocation of land the way it did this is wrong. The government took it as if the land was stolen. There civilised ways the government could do this if there was a need to take back the land from its previous owner. It could approach the owner that it wants to acquire the land for public interest and I trust the Sarakis because the late Olusola Saraki had done it before by donating his land for the popular Ago Market when the marketers were to be relocated. If the government claimed that they discovered that the land was not paid for, because of the personality of the person that the land was allocated- someone who contributed so much to Nigeria politically, economically and socially and Kwara State in particular, what you needed to do was to have written his children, who have taken over the place.

You wouldn't say because they didn’t pay for that and without Certificate of Occupancy and therefore you are going to take the land. If that type of discussion arises, the Sarakis that I know can return the land without any noise. But the governor himself has come to give an impression as if that land was stolen from the government. They have been saying that the land was taken illegally, and that is wrong. However, the widespread condemnation that has greeted the revocation of the property is a clear indication that the governor's move was not in tandem with the interest of the people of Kwara. He is, therefore, advised to listen to the voice of reason and have a rethink. Also, Governor Abdulrazaq should know that there is absolutely nothing he can do to exterminate Baba Saraki's legacies and that of his son, Dr Bukola Saraki or erase their love in the hearts of Kwarans. The duo has genuinely served Kwara and will continue to be loved for their respective contributions to the development of the state. The governor needs to be reminded that he was elected to deliver governance and development and not to settle family or political scores. He should jettison issues and actions that do not promote the interests and general wellbeing of the people of Kwara.

The government said that it would build a new secretariat for its workers on the land; do you view this project as good with the present state of the state economy?

There is no need at all. One, there is a new Secretariat that the past administration completed up to 95 per cent before leaving, and this government has gracefully completed it. I think it only awaits furnishing. There is enough space for them to accommodate civil servants. When I was in government as Special Adviser to Bukola Saraki, I was the chairman of a committee that took records of offices required by various ministries, and with what has been done now by former governor, which this government has completed there is no need for any secretariat for now. The inexperience of the Governor is making him say that they want to use that place for the secretariat. Secondly, he doesn't even have the money. He said they would start it in 2020 and finish in 2021. If he has the money, let him furnish the one that is on the ground.

What advice do you have for the government?

Unfortunately, I don't know whether the government is in a position to take advice, because the vehicle that brought the government to power has a problem. That vehicle is the party, APC. Since after the election, the Governor has not sat down with his people and they have not agreed to do things together. When we are sending advice now, which is a normal thing, one would tell the government to face proper governance; they should not be waging war against perceived enemies. Nobody is wishing them bad; they should sit down, look at their promises during the campaigns and ensure that they face what they had promised to do for the people. They have to provide roads, water, pay minimum wage and arrears of salaries and things like that. They should face that.