Date: 2015-01-29

Chairman of the Kwara State Local Government Commission, Alhaji Kayode Sulyman Yusuf (Maja), on Tuesday broke the silence on his recent illness as he made a surprising public appearance.

Maja, who was a former Special Adviser to former Governor Bukola Saraki on Political Matters, stormed the All Progressives Congress, APC’s rallies held across major wards in Ilorin West Local Government area of Kwara State.

Places visited by the campaign train, which was led by the leader of APC in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki, accompanied by other party contestants and stalwarts, included Egbejila community, Government High School Adeta, ECWA Primary School, Oja-Iya and Alore Primary School.

His return was celebrated by Saraki, who revealed through his twitter handle said that the party’s team was delighted about his return.   

“We are delighted to have Alhaji Maja join us for campaign in Kwara today", Saraki twitted.

Maja was the star of the rally and evoked emotional tears from some party supporters, who shed tears of joy as they warmly, embraced him.

Speaking with our reporter at Alore Primary School, Maja, dressed in the APC paraphernalia, initially declined comment on the incident.

But when probed further, he told our reporter that he resisted the offer of being flown abroad for medical attention by Saraki and the Governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed because he believed he could be cured here at home.

Narrating his experience, Maja recalled that he was unable to stand, sit or walk but only laid down when the illness got to its peak.

“I was unable to stand up or even sit. I was just lying down. And now that God has shown me His mercy, I can now stand, sit and even walk, except for little pains that I feel in my leg” he disclosed.

“When the issue of my illness came up, they (Saraki and Ahmed) were the ones that stood by me and never made me realize I have no mother or father or anybody. They stood by me and were ready to fly me abroad but I said no.

“Why? Because I believe this is where I will survive and there will be no problem. And God answered my prayers. They spent millions of naira on me and I thank God for sparing my life”, he added.

He said there is no point brooding over the past because “What has happened has happened, but what I will just say is that I give gratitude to God and then to the Leader, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Maja was reportedly down with stress-related illness for months and was at a point rumoured to be dead.

As a result of his illness, Maja was absent from the political limelight in the state for a long while.

Maja further explained that he decided to involve himself in the campaign rallies in Ilorin west despite his state of health because he found it unthinkable that he would not be able to receive the leader, who was visiting his local council.

“I cannot be at home and the leader, my leader is coming to Ilorin West, my abode and I won’t be able to receive him. What will I be saying then, when God knows that I now feel better”, he added

He said, “It is my walking around and visiting peoples that will heal me and bring me happiness. Seeing all my friends, relations, politicians etc they embraced me and I also did, ‘I’m happy and that joy will continue to elevate me.”

Speaking on the coming polls, he said the PDP will lose in the state and challenged President Jonathan to point to any of his achievements in the state since he became President.

“God did not give PDP the government so how can they claim it. The state is owned by the leader, Bukola Saraki. When late Saraki was alive, they couldn’t have it and now, the dynasty has lots of siblings, including the old, young, women and men.

“Jonathan has ruled for 6years. Let him point to any achievement in Kwara apart from what late president Yar’Adua did.

“When he came on Monday, he couldn’t campaign than to just ask for our votes. How do we vote for him after 6 years of failure?”

Maja however advised Kwarans to vote massively for Saraki, Governor Ahmed and all other APC candidates in the forthcoming election.