By AKIN OLADEJI

Election year, in all democratic world, always comes with drama and frills.

The Nigerian political sphere paced into frenetic activism since Attahiru Jega mounted the saddle as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about two months ago.

Jega’s antecedents as a progressive academic, and his coming on the heels of the inglorious tenure of Prof. Maurice Iwu, elicited some hope in many Nigerians that next year’s general elections might, after all, be the turning-point in our national quest for electoral credibility.

The doldrums in the political arena yielded ground for stimulating campaign fervor as the rank of political aspirants are swelling by the day, across the country.

In all of these, one state, however, stands out in the theatre of calculated electoral manipulation where candidates are being determined without due process as prescribed by the electoral laws.

It is our own beloved Kwara which is rapidly descending into the abyss of feudalistic fiefdom, no thanks to the state’s self-acclaimed political over-lord and Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki (better known as Oloye in Kwara).

Olusola Saraki unabashedly thumps his chest as the Alpha and Omega of a once glorious state which had the fortune of producing the first mathematics graduate in northern Nigeria, Chief Samuel Adeniyi, the Asiwaju of Omu-Aran; the first lawyer also in northern Nigeria, Alhaji A.G.F. Razak (SAN); the first northern Nigerian actuarial scientist, Elisha Adebisi Fabiyi, Chairman, Everyman & Co Insurance brokers and emeritus physics Professor, Olumuyiwa Awe of University of Ibadan (the husband of intellectual icon, Prof. Bolanle Awe).

It is also the birth place of two former chief of naval staff, Samuel Afolayan and Ganiyu Adekeye; former presidential chief of staff and national security adviser, retired Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi; late legendry radical politician Josiah Olawoyin, late Generals Tunde Idiagbon and Abdulkareem Adisa and, of course, the late governor of the state, retired Rear Admiral Mohammed Alabi Lawal, to mention just a few.

Mid-last year when Saraki flew the kite on his Saraki –Saraki succession plan for 2011, many thought such an idea could not happen, given the sensibilities of other stakeholders and public awareness of the enormity of the powers and authorities of a state governor in contemporary Nigeria.

Then, the Oloye bragged that he would announce the successor of his son and incumbent governor, Bukola, when he returned from lesser hajj or before last Christmas!

Not until about three weeks ago at a meeting of his political disciples where he publicly threw his daughter-senator, Gbemisola, into the gubernatorial ring, many still regarded the plan as a rumour. His reason: only Gbemisola Saraki can consolidate the gains of the eight years’ “unprecedented” achievements of Governor Bukola Saraki, who is now on the political trail for the presidency.

Ironically, Olusola Saraki would not say what makes the likes of Yekinni Alabi, an economist and a successful businessman; two-time military administrator, retired Col. Theophilus Bamigboye; current sports minister Ibrahim Bio; Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, seasoned banker; sitting commissioner Fatai Ahmed; House of Reps member Gbenga Makanjuola or former health minister Funke Adedoyin less qualified than his daughter.

The answer blows in the wind as none of these gubernatorial aspirants would likely agree to the Oloye plan.

While one would leave the analysis of the “unprecedented” achievements of Bukola Saraki till another day, it is imperative to unequivocally state that no governor, with half the amount of federal allocations received by Kwara State under Bukola’s administration, performed so dismally. This is incontrovertible.

From whichever direction or state one enters Kwara State today, the welcome signs are decrepit roads capable of forcing a “U-turn” from this 43-year-old state.

It is unthinkable that Olusola Saraki will reduce the governorship of Kwara State to his hegemonic passion, despite the dissent by the two other senatorial districts (south and north) which provide the bulk of the state’s human and agro-economic resources.

The only democratic shot which the Kwara south had on the state governorship was the three-month truncated tenure of Cornelius Adebayo (October 1 – December 31, 1983).

The Kwara north also had a short stint of less than two years between 1991 and 1993 with Shaba Lafiagi as governor. The current aspiration of the Sarakis to hold on to Kwara governorship, if it succeeds, will effectively alienate both the Kwara north and south senatorial districts from the state number one position for 20 years since no governor in Nigeria contents with a single term. The Kwara central district has been in the saddle since 1999 when Lawal was elected.

It is unjust. It is selfish. It is totally objectionable. It is the reason why all the progressive elements in Kwara must rise in unison against this oligarchy and redeem their nationally dented political image of servitude.

The multitude of aspirants in the state PDP should put on their thinking caps for a consensus candidate or align with the strongest opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to give the “Sarakites” a run for their money (our money), lest they suffer another humiliation in the hands of their traducers.

Come to think of it. Is it not highly hypocritical for Governor Bukola Saraki to be crusading for the presidential zoning policy of the PDP while his father would not respect same policy in Kwara?
Progressive Kwarans have only 2011 to prove that they are not dogs in Saraki’s manger. 2001 is their date with history.

* Oladeji is of Cedis Plaza, Central Business District, Abuja.