Chief Olatunji Arosanyin, a legal practitioner and a political associate of the late Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki for over 38 years, in this interview with TUNDE OYEKOLA, speaks on the philosophy and philanthropy of the late second Republic Senate Leader. Excerpts:

How did you and Dr Saraki meet?
I started my law practice in Ilorin in 1973. I met Saraki through an uncle in 1974. Then, Saraki had come back to Ilorin and was looking for somebody to work with him in the then Kabba division of the old Kwara State. I am from Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. When I was introduced to him by my uncle, we became friends. We soon discovered that we had a common interest. In 1964, he had contested federal election in Ilorin. I also contested the election in Kabba division. We both used bicycles as a symbol in the election as independent candidates. We both lost the election. By then, we didn't know each other, but when we met and discussed, we discovered that we had a common interest and we were together for close to 40 years.

Did you ever belong to the same political party?
When we met, there was no political party. In fact, I contested election in 1978 for Constituent Assembly under a non-party system. Saraki sponsored people here to contest the same election. Later, we formed the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). After we formed the NPN, he wanted to be president through the first general election in 1979, but we were betrayed by some close associates from the South-East and we lost the primaries in Lagos to Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Then, they asked him to contest for the Senate and he said no. It took Shagari and the late Chief Adisa Akinloye from Ibadan to persuade him. They asked me to help persuade Saraki to contest because if he did not, we might lose the election to UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria). He eventually contested and won by a landslide in Ilorin/Asa Federal Constituency. When the military came, we were detained. He was detained in Enugu, Ikoyi and Kiriki prsisons, while I was detained in Ilorin prison. I was released after eight months, but he was not. After the military take-over of power in 1983, we had remained together until he died Wednesday last week.

During the military era, were you close?
We were very close. In fact, 14 days after I was released from detention, my mother died and my account had been frozen, so, I couldn't bury her. Everybody I contacted to borrow money from avoided me because they feared the military government would arrest them if they associated with a politician. One evening, a prison official, a warder wearing a uniform, came to my house and I thought I was going to be arrested again. But he said he only wanted to see me. I asked why and he asked if I knew Dr Saraki. I said yes. He told me he (Saraki) was being detained in Enugu and he had learnt that my mother had died and I was looking for money to bury her. Saraki sent me N2000, out of which I bought six cows for the burial ceremony. A cow was sold for N300 at that time. That was how I buried my mother.

What can you say about his generosity and popularity with the people?
He was very much involved in grassroots development. He did all he could to help the common people. At a time under the military regime, there was scarcity of water in Ilorin. He bought tankers and went as far as Ogbomoso to get water, which he distributed to every compound in the city. What he did attracted people to him and he always had their support during elections.

What was responsible for his success?
Well, the number one factor is his love for the populace. He provided the people with water and bread. I can't remember any secondary school in the old Kwara State which he did not provide with one thing or another. He never discriminated. I am a Christian and Saraki was a Muslim. Sometimes, he attended the church with me. His wife is a Christian, so, anytime there was a programme in her church, we all attended. He never mixed religion with politics. He did not care if you were an Ofa man or Kabba or Ebira. In fact, the first governor we chose was from Ebira, whereas there were some of his people who wanted to be governor. These are some of the things that endeared people to Dr Saraki.

What made his politics tick?
His politics was different because he was not interested in amassing wealth. Saraki was not materialistic. He had no house in Ilorin except the one along Ilofa Road. He might be expanding it, but that is the only one he had. And as far as I know, he has a building on Bode Thomas Road in Surulere, Lagos, but those of us who are close to him would say, ‘oga, this place is too small for us, let us look for another house'. Even to get there is a lot of trouble. Those of us who were close to him were the ones who persuaded him to buy a house in Ikoyi. Saraki had no house in Abuja. He used two houses there — one for his residence and the other for the Northern Union — but they are rugged structures. He never accumulated wealth. He owned no industry in Ilorin; the common people were his industry. So, we could not be surprised at what happened at Yidi when his body was brought there.

What lesson do you think contemporary politicians can draw from his life?
What helped Saraki was his love for the masses. If Saraki saw a mother with her baby strapped to her back and carrying firewood, which she would sell to feed, he would stop her and interrogate her and then give her N5000 or more. He would sponsor the education of people who were not related to him, who were not even Muslims or natives of Ilorin. He sent some overseas, others to Ahmadu Bello University. I knew this because most of them came to me. Saraki would direct them to me to pencil in their names and he would pay their school fees. I would tell young politicians to be concerned about the poor. Saraki was not materialistic, but now, everybody wants money, houses and so on. He was not a religious fanatic; he prayed with Christians.

 Why was he called a bridge builder?
Saraki was, indeed, a bridge builder and I can tell you a few reasons. Before he became Senate Leader, the NPN did not have the majority to rule. Although the party formed an alliance with Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), we had problem. But because of Saraki's good relations with others, all the political parties united and appointed him as their leader. He was the first and the only Senate Leader that was so appointed since the inception of the presidential system. We have problems in the country because of the North/South dichotomy. When (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo was to go in 2007, there was agitation as to who would succeed him. Saraki formed the Northern Union and used it to bring states in all parts of the country together, telling them what to do so that Nigeria could remain one. It was the effort of the Northern Union that threw up (the late President Umaru) Yar' Adua for the position.

He was a bridge builder; there is no doubt about it. He founded the party, Committee for National Consensus (CNC), for the sake of consensus. He said the country needed consensus and we should all work together. When he was running for president, the late (Chukwuemeka) Odumegwu-Ojukwu was the chairman of his campaign team. That was Saraki. He was a Nigerian.

What are your plans now, with the death of your political associate?
I am retiring. I am 77 years old. My master, my friend, Saraki, is dead. I don't have anything to do in politics again but to offer advice. At  my age, my children have advised me to take it easy.