INTRODUCTION
In the parlance of wisdom, success is no accident. It is hard work perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. (Pele Brazilian soccer legend)
The antecedent surrounding the dynasty is worthy of analysis and reviewed appropriately . though, this is neither the first nor the last article on Saraki’s Dynasty. It is just a means of contributing our quota to the historical deposits about the political life of the late sage, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki and those he left behind.
BACKGROUND
The late Dr. Olusola Saraki was born on the 17th of May, 1933 in Ilorin. He hails from Agoro Compound in Agbaji, his mother was from Iseyin i Oyo State and his father was from Ilorin. His paternal ancestors were Fulanis who came from Mali 150-200yrs ago. It must be noted that the place where the Fulanis that migrated from Mali settled is currently known as Oké-Imalé in Ilorin nowadays. The seat of many outstanding Islamic Scholars including; late Shaykh Kamaldeen al-Adaby and Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory of blessed memory.
Olusola Saraki attended Éko Boys High School and later proceeded to the University of London and St. George’s Hospital Medical School London. He worked as a medical officer at the General Hospital, Lagos and the Creek Hospital Lagos.
POLITICAL LIFE
Olusola Saraki involvement in politics started in 1964 when he ran for parliamentary election for Ilorin as an independent contestant but loss. After the election, he returned to his medical practice in Lagos, only returning to party politics in 1977/1979.
In 1977, Olusola Saraki was elected as a member of Constituent Assembly that produced the 1979 constitution. He was elected a Senator of the second republic in 1979 and became the Senate Leader.
In 1983, Saraki was reelected into the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria platform (NPN).
In 1988, Saraki became a national leader and member of the board of trustee of All People’s Party (APP) contributing to the success in Kwara and Kogi State.
He contributed immensely to the success of Muhammed Alabi Lawal in becoming the Governor of Kwara State in 1999.
In 2001, he was head of team for the Arewa Consultative Forum, a Northern Cultural and Political group, sent to meet and discuss common goal with Northern State Governor and other leaders. Later, Saraki switched allegiance to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003 election, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki supported his son, Bukola Saraki as a PDP Gubernatorial candidate of Kwara State and his daughter Gbémisola Saraki, as Senator for Kwara-Central in April 2003 election. The duo emerged as Governor and Senator respectively. This marks the beginning of new era which shall be discussed in the later part of this article.
As we have all known that human beings are indebted to death, Olusola Saraki died on Wednesday 14th November, 2012 and his remain was laid to rest in Ilorin the Kwara State capital.
HIGHLIGHTS ON ACHIEVEMENTS OF SARAKI’S DYNASTY BEFORE BABA’S DEMISE.
Succintly, it becomes essential to outline the success of Saraki’s dynasty during his life time. These are:
(a) He was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly that produced the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which was invariably formed larger part of of Nigeria Constitution of 1999. It is note worthy that his emergence at that time marked the beginning of what is today known as the Saraki’s Dynasty.
(b) In 1979, he was elected as the Senator of the Second Republic of Nigeria and became a Senate Leader.
(c) Saraki was elected in 1983 into the Senate under the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN)
(d) Olusola Saraki supported Alhaji Adamu Attah who came from minority ethnic group in his bid to become the civilian Governor in Kwara State in 1979 and Attah emerged as Governor.
(e) he supported Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo from Obbo-Ayégunle and as result of his support , he won the eletion and became the governor of kwara state in 1983 and he later lost his position in December 31st 1983 due to Military coup d’etat led by Major General Muhammad Buhari.
(f) Saraki nominated Alhaji Shaabah Lafiaji in 1992 for Governor and he won the governorship position under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime before been taken over by General Sanni Abacha in 1993.
(g) Upon returning to civilian rule in 1999 after the demised of General Sanni Abacha, Saraki anointed late Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal. Who became the governor under the platform of APP (All People’s Party) where Saraki was a member of board of trustee.
(h) Subsequently, he switched his allegiance from ANPP to PDP in 2002 and his enormous supporters were referred to as Sarakite PDP as at then, he nominated his biological son as governor of Kwara State in 2003.
Fortunately, Saraki’s son (ABS) emerges against the power of incumbency, which unleashed the potential invincibility of Saraki political prowess and dynamism in the midst of a very tight situation.
Conclusion
Saraki’s dynasty can not be over emphasized as it has been proven from the facts stated above that politics runs in the blood vessel of late Olusola Saraki and has turned to his way of life.To this end, the successful political sojourn of Baba Saraki is not an accident but a reality.
To be continued…
By Friends Of Ali Ahmad (FOAA)