BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI
SECOND Republic Senate Leader, Dr Olusola Saraki, has thrown more light on why he  reconciled with his son Bukola Saraki, who held out the olive branch by seeking forgiveness.

Bukola Saraki, the immediate past governor of Kwara State, who is now a senator went against the wish of his father at the last election and ‘humiliated’ the old man in te process. The elder Saraki wanted his daughter, Senator Gbemisola Saraki to succeed his brother at the Government House but Bukola disagreed.

And his refusal pushed Olusola Saraki to leave with his faithful to the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) where Gbemi was handed the governorship ticket and she contested against the Bukola-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Abdul Fatai Ahmed and was trounced. Other candidates of the ACPN in other elections were also defeated.

The Saraki's: Father (centre) to reconcile son and daughter.

Speaking at a prayer session in Ilorin, which was organized by the family to commemorate the recent happenings in the family’s dynasty, the elder statesman expressed in details, the factors that led to his decision to reconcile with Bukola.

He said: “On the second day of the election, I travelled to USA and four days after the election, Bukola came to see me in Los Angeles to apologise. Later, he made all manner of influential and highly respected people to beg me, and I realise that if I want peace to reign in Kwara, and for opposition party not to be given chances like it happened in the last election, I have to listen to him.”

With reference to his speech, it would be recollected by the inhabitants of Ilorin that there was a great turmoil in the house of the Saraki’s during the recently conducted elections in Kwara State. As indicated in the speech above, the reason for this was the fact that the erstwhile governor did not show support for his sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who had the intention of stepping into his shoes.

Rather, he championed the cause for the election of the present governor, Ahmed with the intention of dispelling the possible fears that the state was about to be turned into the family’s estate.
The elder statesman commended the political ingenuity of his son in spite of the hurt that he caused the family during the elections.

“What happened to me during the last election was a misfortune. I never expected it but I know that was how the Almighty Allah wanted it, and I have taken it as a human being. Since I never expected that it would be my blood that will change the face of Kwara, which he did to my satisfaction and admiration of everybody, then I have to accept this too as my own fate.’’

He also indicated that the reconciliation was yet to reach the level of the family: “The crisis is in two arms, we have settled the political aspect, it remains the family aspect because Gbemi is still very angry, and I am behind her for that, we will also settle that later.’’

Also, the political godfather commented on the new administration, saying that the possibility of the governor staying for two terms depends on the way he handles his administration. However, he hinted that he expects to be treated by the governor as an elder statesman through due consultation on how to effectively carry out the affairs of the state.

It must, however, be noted that the state Chairman of PDP, Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani said recently that the ruling party had no intention of offering political appointments to any member of the ACPN. However, according to him, this does not mean that they would not consult the elder statesman for advice on how to run the state.