Prior to the presidential and National Assembly elections, Kwara state had been tagged one of the likely hotbeds for political violence. Umar Bayo Abdulwahab writes.
Pre –election
In fact, there were anxiety and apprehension amongst residents of the state of harmony that the election would not go without blood bath. The fears of the people were heightened following two major incidents that occurred in the state few days to the election.
First, there was a bloody attack on a senatorial candidate of the APC, Architect Lola Ashiru in Ojuku Oyun local government area of the state during which one person was reported dead and six others injured.
While the dust raised over that incident was yet to settle, another unfortunate attack was recorded during the visit of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo. According to the state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, an unidentified person fired at a crowd after the convoy of the Vee Pee who was in Ilorin for a door-to-door campaign had left.
How security threats were confronted
Rising to the occasion, the Nigerian Air Force under the joint security committee set up for the purpose of conducting hitch-free elections deployed a surveillance helicopter to monitor flash points and worked in synergy with other security agencies in the state.
Similarly, the state commissioner of police told journalists during the joint security press briefing that, six suspects were arrested in connection with recent political violence in the state even as he said the police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
New dawn
A new chapter was on Saturday opened in the political history of the state following the failure of national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to secure his re-election bid to the senate.
Commercial and social activities resumed in Ilorin Kwara State capital Monday after the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections which saw the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) causing a major upset in the political landscape of the state.
Checks by our correspondent in most of the relaxation centres in Ilorin showed that many people visited out to celebrate the violence-free election.
Saraki, who represents Kwara Central in the senate, lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and a World Bank consultant. Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe. The former Majority leader in the kwara state House of Assembly during the administration of late admiral Muhammed Lawal whom Saraki contested against in 2003, had challenged him (Saraki) in 2015 but lost.
Therefore, his victory over Saraki in last Saturday’s election, according to some analysts, might have opened a heeled wound between the Saraki’s and Lawal’s political camps in the state.
For decades, the Saraki’s political dynasty had dominated the political landscape of the state despite rising opposition which eventually dislodged the camp in the just concluded election.
But contrary to this assertion, Saraki has declared that the winners of the election are not his enemies.
“As a product of a family and a political structure that is, from its foundation, devoted to the service and development of our state and its people, it is my wish that our people will always have a good deal at all times.
“The new development will even provide the people the opportunity to compare and contrast. After all, the people who have emerged from last Saturday’s election are not my enemies. They are fellow Kwarans’’, Saraki said in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity).
How PDP, APC react to election results
Expectedly, for the APC and their supporters, the outcome of the election was a sweet one for the party who had long been hoping to see their dream come true. Little wonder that after the announcement of the result their supporters took to the major streets of Ilorin to celebrate.
At the family residence of Oloriegbe in Alore, Ilorin, scores of APC supporters, family members and friends of the new senator- elect, rushed to his country home where canopies were provided with chairs with a lot to eat and drink.
Jingles produced by local musicians to promote him as a candidate during his electioneering campaigns, were played while people eat and danced. The activities lasted till dawn.
The merriments continued Monday as people gathered again under the canopies provided to entertain guests. Special prayers were also offered by clerics. Some youths, who could not hold their feelings, were seen with brooms moving from street to streets, and to chanting various songs.
Reacting to the victory of the APC candidates in the elections, the AbdulRahman Abdulrasaq campaign organisation, in a statement through its director media AbdulRasheed Akogun described the outcome of polls as a ‘‘watershed’’ in the political history of the state, adding that ‘‘the outcome is the acceptance of the OTOGE movement by the people’’.
However, for the PDP it was indeed a shock and many members of the party and their supporter could not just believe it.
And right from the INEC office where the result was announced, the PDP agent at the collation centre for the Kwara central senatorial district, Isiaka Magaji, rejected the results of the election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Magaji refused to sign the result sheet at the collation centre situated inside INEC’s office, Ilorin. He said: “the report that I got from our agents in the four local government areas that made up Kwara central said there was massive electoral fraud in some polling units, especially in Ilorin West local government area.
The PDP agent later presented a protest letter to the returning officer for the election, Prof Olawale Olatubosun, who, however, refused to accept the letter from Magaji, saying “I lack jurisdiction to receive such letter.”
The senate president was PDP candidate for Kwara central senatorial district in last Saturday’s election.
Kwara after Olusosla Saraki
Before the demise of Olusola Saraki, who was the Second Republic senate leader and Kingmaker of kwara politics, the senate president had assumed the leadership position of his father which earned him different titles amongst which were ‘‘Emerging Tigger, and Leader, and a traditional title of the Wazirin Geri which was latter conferred on him by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, after the demise of his father.
For seven years after the demise of the late Oloyee, as he was fondly called, Bukola had successfully wielded a strong influence and determined the direction of the politics of the over 52 years old state. A feat, which he maintained until his shocking defeat in last Saturday’s election.
What Next for Bukola Saraki?
The above statement is the question on the lips of watchers of the political gladiators of the state. How will Saraki react to the defeat suffered by his camp in this election? Where will he go from here? What will be his next move? The expectations are high and the people are eager to know his next move.
But in reaction to all these Saraki, who spoke through his media aide, urged his supporters not be demoralised by the result of the last elections.
“As we prepare for the March 9th, 2019 Governorship and House of Assembly elections, let me reiterate my position that the candidates of the PDP in the election represent the best materials for our dear State, Kwara.
“Therefore, I enjoin our people to come out en masse on Election Day and vote for them. I am going to work with our party leaders to further sell the PDP candidates to the general public”, Saraki stated.
