Members of the Olusola Saraki's political dynasty in Kwara State are beginning to feel the absence of the founder of the dynasty who died one year ago.

  Not that the political clan is lacking in a worthy successor, but the nostalgic feeling is as a result of the fact that his son Bukola Saraki who has since stepped into his late father's shoe does is yet to possess the wealth of experience which his father had in abundance. Many are of the opinion that it would certainly take Bukola some years to garner and start replicating that.

  "WE are missing our father. We are missing him as the head of not only our family but the head of Saraki's political dynasty. But we thank God and the good people of Kwara state for their unflinching supports and for keeping the structures he left behind."

  This was the thrust of the message of Bukola in Ilorin, Kwara state capital while addressing members of the political clan during the event marking the one year anniversary of the death of his father and the late political icon of Kwara state politics, Olusola Saraki. 

   At the programme, attended by many dignitaries, including the former Governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Governor of Sokoto state, Aliyu Wamako, former Governor of Benue state, George Akume, former Governor of Kebbi state Adamu Ailero, former Nasarawa state Governor Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Gombe,Danjuma Goje, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Business mogul, Aliko Dangote and Eyinanya Abaribe among others, Saraki sought for their more towards sustaining the legacies of his late father.

  Former Governor Adamu, described the late politician as a true "bridge builder", a detribalised Nigerian, adding, "he was a leader in many dimension, he showed us the example of how to unite Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion."  

  Adamu's views were echoed by Fani-Kayode, who described the late political leader as a symbol of harmony between the people of the north and the south.  

  While many of his beneficiaries might have forgotten about his kind gestures, those who slugged it out with the politician trying to wrestle the political control of the state from his grip would not forget the bruises suffered and the scars left as indelible marks in the course of the contests.

  A detribalized Nigerian, a religious tolerant man, who shunned egoistic tendencies till he died, Saraki believed in one's talents and preferred it above any sentiments in picking his choice for political offices. 

He settled only for his son as the Governor of the state, after he had supported four people for the post. These are: Alhaji Adamu Attah, Cornelius Adebayo, Sha'aba Lafiagi and Muhammed Lawal. He had said on the occasion of his 65th birthday in Ilorin,     

  "I am praying to God to send to me and open my eyes to the people who will help me build Kwara state and make my people happier." Saraki changed the statement when his son emerged the Governor, "

  An Ilorin based 78 year old lawyer and associate of the late Saraki, Tunji Arosanyin described the late political titan as a lover of peace, a man of consensus political style and an anointed politician sent into the world for the growth of the people of Kwara state and the nation as a whole. 

  According to Arosanyin in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, "the death of my friend Olusola Saraki has taken away my interest in politics. I know if he were to be alive, things would not have been like this politically in Nigeria. But he is gone and we have to continue to live. God gave him the control of Kwara politics in particular and influence on Nigerian politics as a whole. 

  "We pray that his children will continue where he stopped. Bukola is trying his best but you know in life, what satisfies you as a person may not satisfy others. The best of Bukola is Bukola's best and not the best of his father. 'Oloye' would stand on justice and fair play and would still be able to satisfy all the parties in a dispute. He saw politics as a heritage.

  "I remember vividly an episode that occurred in Kaduna during Oloye's (as Saraki was being called by his admirers during his life time) quest for presidency. I was with him at that point in time. Everybody in Kaduna was already showing open supports for him, but he sensed there could be a riotous situation at the end of the day. He hurriedly left the place without them knowing and we had to go and join him where he went.

  "During his life time he founded and funded the Northern Union (a political platform) and was going around made the nation with a message of peace. At that time, the North was confused on who to support for presidency but Saraki made the people to settle for Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. He had a spirit of consensus; nobody ever lost or won with him. Bukola is trying his best, I visit him when the need arises and I keep on telling him that there is no way he can do without opponents. Bukola is a younger person politically. I wish him well always because if he failed we have all failed. Everybody can't be a leader only one person leads at a time. Nobody can get to position of power without the input of God." 

Oloye, remains a house hold name in Kwara politics even one year after his demise, thanks to the peaceful transition of 'power' to his heir apparent, Senator Bukola Saraki.

  But while some political observers have concluded that Oloye took along with him his idiomatic 'shoe' considered to be too large for any living politician in the state to wear, Moshood Mustapha a member of the House of Representatives said Bukola was eminently qualified for the post.

  According to Mustapha, "he (Bukola) was a perfect example of how political power should transit. He was not only born into the political dynasty, he was already an acceptable leader in the political hierarchy of the dynasty even before the death of Baba. Whenever, we are at a cross road, the way this new leader comes up with novel idea always baffles us. "

  Mustapha added, "He does not impose his will on anybody. He will listen carefully to all major issues raised at our political meetings. Indeed, Bukola our leader has allowed what can be called internal democracy within the dynasty so all of us are extremely happy."

  But one man who is displeased with the political style of the incumbent leader of the dynasty is former Speaker of the state's House of Assembly, and former Minister for Sports, Bio Ibrahim, who had not only sharply criticized Bukola's leadership style on the ground of alleged imposition of candidates on the members of the dynasty, but had joined the proponents of those who believed that Oloye's shoe is too large for his son to occupy.

 But in the view of Mustapha, "Ibrahim is insincere with his comments on our leader. He spoke the way he did or maybe he was misquoted, because he is at present not occupying any political office. He should see the dynasty as being very kind to him. Besides, he should know that he is not the only one within the dynasty. The benefits must be allowed to spread. He should know that whatever goes round must come around." 

 One unique political style that probably marked out Bukola, is the incurable penchant of the younger politician for prompt resolution of crisis with any perceived political opponent.

 Unlike his father who would allow the opponent to strike at him only for the opponent to discover his seeming political invincibility, the former Governor would rather make an overture to such 'foes', win him to his side and then enlist him among his members rather than opposition.

  One basic truth about Kwara politics today is that Oloye had died and his son Bukola has taken over the mantle of leadership without any opposition challenging his authority to do so.

 The one year Special Prayer for the late Waziri of Ilorin took place last week at the Ilorin Central Mosque. 

The prayer session was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir and was supported by Islamic Scholars and Imams across Kwara State. 

 Among the dignitaries at the occasion was the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. 

Personalities expected at the prayer session include His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed and some 

  Speaking on the one year after the death of the Waziri the state PDP, Yemi Afolayan believed that the best way to determine the competence or otherwise of Bukola succeeding his father is to see whether any of his father's property or programmes had suffered since the exit of Oloye.

  According to Afolayan, "it is very easy to sit at a corner of one's room and be criticising another person trying his best to fix things right. Our leader has since the demise of baba taken good control over all the structures built by the late politician.

"Who else could have caught a perfect understanding of the system than him? The aged are getting their dues, the indigent students are being given scholarship, and ordinary man within the system can become commissioners, ministers or even the Governor of the state. Is that not what Oloye was doing in his life time?" 

  Afolayan, who believed that all within the system could not be given political appointment at the same time, urged members of the dynasty of Saraki to be patient adding, "which other party could have given them this kind of opportunities?"  

  The Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete in Moro council area has held a memorial lecture in honour of the late politician. KWASU Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdul Rasheed Na'Allah, said the life of the late Saraki deserved a place in the history of the world he therefore challenge his associates to keep intact his legacies. 

Na'Allah said, "because he was a great man in the society and a philanthropist, we gathered everybody and gave them the opportunity to express their views about Dr Saraki's life. We want everybody to know about him by making his written biography available as well as publish it to enable everybody have access to it on the internet. "

Na'Allah said the event would be staged yearly. 

  At the forum different speakers listed some of his philanthropic acts among which were monetary contributions to the Ilorin Town Hall, Adewole Health Centre, constructions of primary and secondary schools, tarring of Pakata-Ilorin road and contributions to the constructions of Ilorin Central Mosque in Ilorin and churches.

  Nimota Aduke Ibrahim, Chairperson Kwara State House of Assembly on Education, described the late 'Oloye' as  "God's sent". She commended him for showing tremendous love to women especially the less privileged ones. 

Mogaji Nda of Ilorin Salihu Woru Mohammed said if politics would be played in heavens he would prefer to be a member of the late Saraki political party.