The push for the recall of Dr. Bukola Saraki who represents Kwara Central at the National Assembly has been laced with intrigues, suspicion and brickbats. In this piece, Abdulrasheed Akogun takes cursory look at efforts by the Kwara APC to save its own.
Kwara State politics appeared woken up from its slumber last week, following an announcement by a group, Kwara State Youth Stakeholders Forum, that it had initiated the process for the recall of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki from the hallowed chambers.
While the news had a cloak of hoax, when it initially surfaced on the social media, it has since generated unprecedented interest and apprehension.
With the possible recall of the Scion of the Saraki political family, reactions for and against have continued to trail the move, with political watchers doubting the ability of the group that stirred the hornet’s nest, to have a successful outing.
KYSF had made its plan public in a statement jointly signed by its president, Charles Olufemi Folayan, who incidentally is from Oke-Ero Local Government in the Kwara Southern Senatorial district; his deputy, Ahmed Alanamu, and Abolarin Olusola, the group’s secretary.
The organisation said one of its reasons for wanting to get Saraki out of the Senate was the long-drawn face-off between the Senate and the executive arm of government, which, according to it, is hindering the operations of the government and affecting the masses
The organisation said one of its reasons for wanting to get Saraki out of the Senate was the long-drawn face-off between the Senate and the executive arm of government, which, according to it, is hindering the operations of the government and affecting the masses.
It, however, blamed the situation on Saraki’s “lust for power.”
The statement read in part: “We are cognisant of the separation of powers in a democratic government, but it is shocking to see the Legislative and Executive arms of Government formed by the same political party playing opposition between themselves in
the name of separation of powers,” said the KYSF.
The group noted with regrets that the Senate recently suspended confirmation of nominees sent to it by the executive arm.
It also accused the Senate under Saraki of elevating personal interests above public interest. “Sadly, bills of public interest such as Local Government Autonomy Bill and other bills that will make direct impact on the people have not yet received adequate attention from the Senate.
“We are disappointed that despite the economic recession, which demands urgent attention, the Senate leadership has given prominence to the Code of Conduct Tribunal trial, Customs boss’ uniform and debates on the recalling of an individual senator,” stated the KYSF.
KYSF also maintained that Kwara State had not felt the impact of producing the Senate President. Rather, it said, the people of the state are constantly embarrassed by “Saraki’s obscene display of affluence through multi-billion naira convoys before unemployed youths in the state, and oppression of civil servants, whose salaries have not been paid for months.”
KYSF said it had resolved that if having a Senate President from Kwara State was of no value to the youths in the state and Nigerians in general, it would have no option other than initiate the process to recall Saraki from the Senate, where he represents Kwara Central Senatorial District.
“We hereby advise him to realise that he is there to serve the good people of Nigeria, adjust his ways and prioritise the interest of Nigerians above ego and personal political ambition,” it stressed.
KWARA APC MOVES TO FOIL PLAN
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state are not taking lightly the move, describing the brains behind the recall process as sponsored and unpatriotic.
Addressing a large number of party supporters at the party’s Senatorial office in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun Local Government area of the state, the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun, said the wish of those involved was to destroy and relegate the position of Kwara in the scheme of things in the country.
He described such people, especially those who claimed to be Kwara southerners, as faceless and unscrupulous elements, who had no stake in the affairs of the area.
He said: “It has been brought to our notice that some individuals, who claimed to be Kwara Southerners, called for a recall of the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“We say emphatically that those involved are unpatriotic and are enemies of progress of Kwara State, as their only wish is to destroy and relegate the position of Kwara State in the committee of other states in Nigeria.
“I say without any apology that those involved are not representing the good people of Kwara State and that they are faceless and unscrupulous.
“It is unfortunate that some levels of government do not appoint people that would truly represent the interest of their constituencies, thereby representing the interest of the minority. They could be Abuja-based politicians, who have no base in thier constituencies, and, therefore, cannot be representing the interest of their communities or his constituencies.”
He added: “Kwarans are in complete support of the activities and achievement of the peoples’ leader and mentor in the Senate.”
He said Saraki had represented his senatorial district well, citing the example of the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Dr Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, whom he described as “a shining light in the hallowed chambers.”
He called on the executive arm of government to desist from what he described as “all activities that could undermine the working relationship with the legislature and work to bring good governance to the people of Nigeria.
“The Sarakis have a formidable political structure that has spanned over five decades in Kwara State and we remain committed to the ideals of democracy and good governance at all levels. Bukola Saraki is our leader and role model,” he stated.
Speaking in the same vein, party officials from Ilorin West, Saraki’s local government, has described the brains behind the move, as unknown in kwara, adding that the move is only a media thing.
The APC Chairman in llorin West Local Government Area, Alhaji Suleiman Bala, while condeming the move, described it as a calculated attempt to retard the steady progress in all facets of development, of the country.
“Those calling for the recall of our leader, the Senate President, are not known to us; in fact, they are not from Kwara,” he said.
RECALL DIFFICULT, SAYS LAWYER
A constitutional lawyer, Mr. Abdulrazak Abdul, while commending “the bold step of the group”, however, expressed reservations about the success of the recall exercise, adding that the constitution has made it practically impossible to recall a legislator.
He said: “The Dino Melaye recall saga has shown to all that it is nearly impossible to recall a legislator with the current constitution as framed.”
All attempts to speak with one of the leaders of the group, Mr. Abdulrazak Hamzat, wasn’t successful as numerous messages sent to his mobile phone were not answered, even at the time of filing this report.
