Ibrahim Shola Tajudeen Olesin was one of the prominent actors of the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS). Back then as a student, he held various positions at various times National Welfare Director of the association, President, Ilorin Emirate Students’ Union, Kaduna Polytechnics chapter. Olesin, an Accountant by profession was the former Coordinator of Save Kwara Group. Olesin is presently National Coordinator of Kwara Elites Group, a professional-group of like minds that are committed to the pursuit of a better Kwara. In an encounter with Time Nigeria Olesin speaks on the group’s philosophy, Kwara and national politics, emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and his current challenges. Excerpts.
What informed formation of Kwara Elite Group?
The motivation behind Kwara Elite Group was the need to launch a platform where Kwarans of like minds who are professionals in various segments of the society can come together in unison in the pursuit of a better Kwara for all. Kwara is for all of us “who truly care”, therefore we should not fold our arms doing nothing but castigating our leaders and politicians. Instead, we should be able to commend them where they are doing well to our satisfaction, criticize constructively in areas where we think they needed to improve and give a reasonable advice or solution in those areas to build a Kwara of our dream. Destructive criticism is seen as an unpatriotic act so, we at the Kwara Elite Group aim at bringing all and sundry to the realization of this fact and put all human and resources together and make Kwara the best place to be and the best state in the federation. These are some of the reasons for setting up Kwara Elite group.
How would you describe the politics being played in Kwara?
Democracy in Kwara is both dynamic and growing as it is devoid of the rancour which is often associated with her peers in other parts of the country. Politics is not new to Kwarans dating back to her establishment in 1967, hence democracy is not alien to us here in the state of harmony. We are socialites in Kwara, we have indigenes belonging to one political party or the other. I can say that Kwara State is well represented in all political parties in Nigeria; we engage in peaceful electioneering campaigns before election and accept the result of such election in good faith without a need to fight each other but strategize for the next election. Some states of the federation had experienced post–election crises in the past resulting in destruction of lives and properties but Kwara has never experienced this. Our politicking in the state is special. We don’t practice a do-or-die politics instead; we are good sportsmen and women. This has helped the trend of social-economic development in Kwara State not to be altered. Hence Kwara is growing steadily.
However, there is need to further bring development to the grassroots as awareness about democracy and good governance are becoming fully entrenched in the minds of the people of the state, especially in the recent past.
What is your take on the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President?
The emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as President of the 8th Senate is a good omen for Kwara state and North Central Nigeria as it shows how relevant and important the people of that geographic zone are in Nigerian political spectrum. This is the first time that Kwara State is producing the number three man in the history of the nation, thereby registering the state as one of the strong political bases of Nigeria. His emergence is good news to all well meaning Nigerians. He did not emerge on a platter of gold as speculated in some circles, he really worked hard for the party breaking out of PDP with some other governors to join APC, financed his new party and worked hard to ensure the victory of the party at the federal and his state, delivering all elective positions in the state to the All Progressive Party. So, I don’t know who would have deserved the position better than Senator Bukola Saraki or a reason why he ought not to be. A man should reap from where he sows. Senator Bukola Saraki, not minding the consequences, left a party he had worked hard to build for a new party he had a vision for and worked hard to ensure its victory. Having worked for a lot of people to attain and achieve their political ambition, is he not expected to pursue and achieve his own ambition too? Is he not qualified? Is he not a party member? These are questions we need to ask ourselves and answer without fear or favour, most of all his pedigree as a politician is fantastic.
Do you think Saraki can make a difference as Senate President?
Of course, Saraki is equal to the task in terms of political experience and sagacity. His background speaks for him as an astute politician. The man we are talking about here coordinated the Nigerian Governorship forum as the Chairman and during that period, the group was united and strong and no Nigerian noticed any form of rancour between them. He was able to carry along both his party men and others and it is believed that he will be able do that again and unite the Senate better than ever.
Nonetheless, government is systemic; hence Saraki alone can’t do the magic. There’s need for individuals across the three arms of government to form a synergy for the sake of the people in order to bring the much needed change to Nigerians in the next four years. He equally needs our prayers from all ends to succeed. So let’s continue to remember him and the entire nation in our daily prayers.
How do you react to his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over a 13-count charge against him?
Well, I want to believe that it is all politics, as a law abiding citizen he promised to present himself before the law and he did, he pleaded not guilty. It is now the business of the court; I think he has done the best. You will understand that there are some of his political enemies that are using instrument of government to witch-hunt him because of his audacity. Secondly, don’t rule out 2019 Presidential tussle out of this gimmick, Saraki stands a better chance come next general election and having assumed number three citizenship then number one is very closer, that is another factor, he himself said when you stand to fight corruption be ready to be fought. I am very sure he will get out of it and the air will be cleared.
The Senate President was allegedly stoned at the Eid-praying ground in Ilorin, what is your position on the matter?
From the available and empirical evidences, Dr Bukola Saraki was not the target and I doubt if he will ever be. The issue is that the civil servants in the state are being owed salaries and they could not get to buy their Sallah ram, I equally got to know that some salary alerts came in lately, at about six O’clock in the evening, so people are frustrated, and this has to do with the state government. Saraki is not the governor! I can categorically say that during Saraki administration as governor in the state a single month salary was never owed as salary, pension and gratuity are being paid on regular basis, records are there. Meanwhile, don’t forget that he is battling with some political enemies, who according to police investigations were hired to come and disrupt the Eid prayer. I want to believe that there is no reason for the people of the state to target the Senate President. This is a person they love and respected, they can’t stone Saraki in Ilorin. I can tell you.
Bukola Saraki is a leader, I will advise him to call Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to order to embark on people’s-oriented programme and policies that will have direct impact on the lives of the people of the state. So as to forestall reoccurrence, the state is a civil service state and salary is the only means of survival, non payment of salaries could have an adverse effect on the people of the state.
But the APC leadership is still at daggers drawn with the Senate President, what do you think?
Well, it is normal for some APC stalwarts to be aggrieved with Saraki as Senate president due to the nature of his ascension to the exalted seat. It is expected that he can’t get the support of all Senators; however, the reality is that majority of Senators across the political parties preferred him as their leader, so it goes beyond only APC as attested to by Chief John Oyegun, the APC National Chairman himself. None the less, all senators whom we believe are at the Senate to move the nation forward are expected to bury their grievances and work hand-in-hand with the leadership of the Senate and legislate well to move the nation forward.
The party needs to close ranks with Dr. Bukola Saraki and realize that he is still one of them. And perhaps, it is a good thing that the Senate has a president whose popularity goes beyond his own political party alone.
Why is Senator Bukola Saraki addressed as “Leader?”
That Saraki is addressed as ‘Leader’ in Kwara is a reflection of his influence as a grassroots politician, and I think that is what politics centre around. The last two general elections have laid credence to Bukola’s undeniable ability at winning people’s minds when it comes to electioneering viz-a-viz the voting pattern of electorates in the state. People tend to tilt towards his sentiment in taking key political decisions and that’s how to identify a ‘Leader.’ Most of his critics are people who have benefited in one way or the other from his political generosity. Human beings by nature can never be pleased but if only we can accept God’s choice for us then we shall experience peace. I see Senator Bukola Saraki as a blessing to Kwara by God and his choice for the good people of Kwara.
What are your expectations in the next few years?
Though, expectations seem to vary about the new government, especially at the centre, yet it is apparent that the inability of the PDP to perform as expected brought about change in the last election.
To this end, Nigerians expect purposeful leadership from Abuja which should ordinarily transmit to both state and local government administration in the coming years.
It is expected of the National assembly under the leadership of Sen. Bukola Saraki to work harmoniously with lower chamber of the assembly and the Presidency and come out with laws and policies that will benefit the masses and move the nation towards the desirable change.
Aside that, Nigerians want to see visible transition in key sectors of the economy with massive investments in Power, Energy, Roads, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Housing etc, and provision of employment opportunities to the teeming youths. It is high time Nigeria as a nation aggressively addresses the issue of diversification of our economy. Putting all our hope on oil is not helping the nation in anyway. Nigeria is so blessed with a lot of human and natural recourses that if well tapped will move the economy forward.
Above all, government must tackle corruption headlong as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari if Nigeria must develop and occupy her rightful position in the comity of great nations.