Success Nwogu writes that there are divergent views on whether the political dynasty built by the late Olusola Saraki will endure or not

The death of 'the strongman of Kwara politics' and Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, last month, has been perceived by many observers in the state as a thunderbolt in Kwara politics. Saraki had for about 40 years dominated the political landscape of the old Kwara State, which comprised the present Kwara, Kogi and parts of Niger.

However, death has continued to attract divergent political permutations, owing to the impact of his years in politics.

Some say he transformed Kwara and facilitated the elevation of many of his kinsmen to prominence. They opine that his death will not change the politics of the state to favour the opposition to the detriment of the ruling oligarchy because he had laid a formidable political structure.

But others say Saraki impoverished the state, unleashing a legacy of poverty, especially on the masses. They opine that his death will lead to the decline of his political dynasty and that of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

According to them, there will soon be a non-violent political revolution that will result in a new political order, which they say, will guarantee political freedom and advancement for the majority of Kwara residents.

This school posits that there will be a rift between Oloye's son, who was the immediate past governor of the state and current senator representing Kwara Central, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his political son, the current Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

A social critic and a native of Kwara, Alhaji Olola Kasum, says as a result of Oloye's death, the PDP will soon lose out in Kwara.

According to him, Saraki was the only person with the personality and charisma to hold Kwarans together. He says there is no other person among the ruling elite with enough stamina to dictate the tenor of politics in Kwara the way Saraki did.

He says, "His death will lead to the collapse of the Saraki dynasty. Bukola cannot hold Kwara State together. The legacy of the late Saraki is poverty. How many people are rich in Kwara? It is only those people in government, but a majority of the people are poor. Many of us will now become more politically active to make sure that things change for the better in Kwara.

"Look at the failed banks. People are still groaning that their money has been locked up. There is poverty and agony in the town. You can see it everywhere."

National Vice-President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Mr. Taiwo Otitolaye, says Oloye's reign witnessed what he calls "the subjugation and capitulation of Kwara under the Saraki dynasty." According to him, all aspirations and efforts to develop Kwara by well-meaning sons and daughters were subsumed within the 'Saraki vision.'

The state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, says the party does not perceive Baba Oloye as an 'indomitable' politician, whose stranglehold on Kwara cannot be broken.

According to him, Kwara residents in the last few years have realised the need to jettison what he calls, 'politics of patronage and of N500 per vote.' He says over the years, the people have seen what damage such alleged orientation had done to the socio-economic and political development of the state.

He, however, admits that Baba Oloye was a politician of note.

"But clearly, his death will help to open the eyes of many of our people to the fact that they need to elect a government that will create an environment and institutions that cater to their need; that empower them and brighten the future of their children, rather than queue in the house of a politician, who doles out amala to them, while sitting on money meant to make their lives worth living.

"This model has proven to be disastrous as is evident in the level of poverty and dearth of meaningful development in the state," Olawepo says.

He states that the ruling elite will soon engage in political infighting and supremacy tussle, which will lead to the liberation of the state from the claws of the ruling class.

"So, in the case of Kwara PDP, we see them fighting over who gets what tiny/bulky share of the loot. In fact, the fight has already begun over what some of them call the 'paucity of largesse' under Ahmed as compared to the Bukola Saraki era, with many blaming the latter for behaving as if he is still the governor," Olawepo says.

But one of Bukola's close aides, Alhaji Sulyman Yusuf, says the political machinery and confidants of Saraki will support Bukola in his current political leadership status in the state.

He says it cannot be ruled out that there will be some people with dissenting views or who may want to challenge Bukola, but he adds that such attempts will fail as Kwara residents are appreciative of baba Oloye and Bukola's efforts and commitment to the transformation of the state.

Yusuf, who is chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Kwara State, dismisses the fear that there could be a rift between Bukola and Ahmed. He states that the two politicians are in good terms and are committed to the advancement of the state.

During a recent news briefing, Ahmed had said he would maintain a cordial relationship with Saraki. He stated that it was normal for him to continue to leverage on the achievements of the Saraki administration.

He said both of them had a commitment to ensure further growth of the state. According to him, the speculated dispute is a figment of the

opposition's imagination and purely a political gimmick by the opponents.

He stated that those who were speculating a possible rift between him and Saraki were not happy with their relationship.

Ahmed said, "We have a very cordial relationship. And the cordial

relationship is spanning just beyond what people are seeing. It will continue to blossom because we have the same goal of ensuring that we give the best to Kwara. We also share the same vision of ensuring that we move Kwara State forward.

"Saraki will continue to be our leader. He has that experience and we

are trying to draw from the wealth of his experience. He has been a

strong stabilising factor for me, especially in areas where I am required to make certain decisions that I am not well informed about."

Also, the state secretary, PDP, Mr. Yemi Afolayan, says it is erroneous for people to think that with the death of Saraki, the politics of Kwara will change. To him, people need not speculate about the fact that Saraki had established a strong political legacy for over 40 years and had transferred his political machinery to Bukola.

"You will recall that in the general elections of 2011, Baba and Bukola had an electoral battle in Kwara. That election was vigorously fought. Baba, in his wisdom and like a spiritual father, transferred power to his son on the battle line just like David transferred power to King Solomon even when he was alive.

"As Solomon became king when David was alive, so also had Bukola started ruling in the life time of Baba Saraki. Anybody who feels that Kwara is a place where they can now go and pluck their apples will be disappointed because they are going to face a moving train that may crush them," Afolayan says.

He adds that Bukola is competent to maintain the political legacy of his father and politicians in Kwara have transferred their loyalty to Bukola. He says there will not be infighting in the party.

He states that Saraki transformed Kwara, made many people rich and left indelible political and infrastructural legacies. However, he blames military regimes for being responsible for the interruption and stunted growth in the political, socio-economic and infrastructural advancement of the country.

According to him, the PDP in the state has been providing good governance, equitable development and infrastructure as well as human capital development.

"All those in the opposition never see anything that is good. During the eight-year administration of Bukola, did you not see transformation in Kwara? Did you not see development in Kwara?

"It is only from 1999 till date that democratic governance had taken root all over Nigeria. It is only after the military interregnum that political structures were established all over the country. But since about the last 10 years when there is stable political development, there has been an unprecedented development in Kwara," Afolayan adds.