Politics

Saraki to Abdulrahman: Kwarans can’t be cowed by wave of demolition exercise

FORMER President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki on Monday joined issues with the Kwara State government over the demolition of Crystal Place, a shopping mall in the state capital, Ilorin.

In a statement he personally signed, the former governor of the state described the action of the government of Governor Abdulrasaq Abdulraman as amounting to pettiness, violence against the people and the economy of the state.

Saraki, who is the Waziri of Ilorin, noted that ordinarily, some people would expect that he should be indifferent to the demolition of the shopping mall because of the political relationship between him and the owner, Honourable Moshood Mustapha, who after serving as commissioner, Special Adviser, and House of Representatives’ member under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has worked against PDP structure since 2018.

“However, it is not my style to take positions on issues from the narrow, parochial perspective. It is my view that one should always look at the big picture, a broad perspective of any issue in reacting to it. It is violence against the people of Kwara State and the economy of the state.

“My decision to speak out against this action that reflects the pettiness of the governor and his government, which is anti-people and against the economic development of the state is irrespective of who is involved,” Saraki alleged.

He also accused the governor of using the demolition exercise to “intimidate, suppress, and silence all Kwarans,” adding: “It is his reaction to the growing unpopularity of everything that he represents within the state.

“Why is Abdulrazaq just realising the fault or whatever he interprets to be wrong with the building of the Crystal Mall structure after 64 months that he has been in office?”

Saraki further claimed that the governor is ordering this demolition as his response in the aftermath of the recent “local government polls, where people in all the constituencies massively voted and rose against his party and its candidates.

“This is the beginning of a war against Kwara State for rejecting a governor who has failed to deliver good governance on all fronts,” Saraki said even as he alleged of a plan to order the arrest of some opposition politicians on frame-up charges.

Emphasising that the plot would not deter him from saying what is right, the former governor said nobody can erase the legacy of his father.

“Now, the news circulating across Ilorin is that the next target of Abdulrazaq’s demolition squad is the place where the remains of my late father, Oloye (Dr) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, of blessed memory is interred,” he stated.

“What this governor should know is that Kwara State does not belong to him. The state has existed long before he became governor and will continue to exist after he has ceased to be governor.

“After all, he has just about 31 months before he becomes a former governor. Abdulrazaq is the seventh democratically elected governor. None of those before him embarked on the demolition of properties to fight political opponents or score cheap political points. If I or the five other elected governors before him- the late Alhaji Adamu Attah, Chief C. O. Adebayo, Alhaji Shaba Lafiagi, the late Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, and Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed – had been demolishing the structures belonging to people for personal vendetta, nothing would have remained of Kwara State before he assumed office in 2019.

“Abdulrazaq should know we will not allow him to destroy the peace, tranquility, and fear of God that Ilorin, in particular, and Kwara State in general, stand for. His eight years as governor cannot reshape the history of our Emirate and the State that has been in existence for over 50 years.

“With this demolition of Crystal Mall, over one hundred youths who work there have lost their jobs and source of livelihood. Also, the 21 shop owners in that complex have lost their investment. What a loss to the state economy!

“At a time when people are facing hardship and there are no jobs, the focus of government should not be to destroy investment.

“The emphasis should be on how to grow the economy, help the private sector increase its investment in the state, generate employment, and make life better for ordinary people. These are key aspects of the basic functions of a government that has a purpose.

“I urge all leaders of thought in Ilorin, members of the Ulammahs, elders, and other key stakeholders not to keep quiet. What the present government in Kwara State is doing is waging war against the people. It is bent on impoverishing the people. We should not be afraid to speak truth to power. This action of Abdulrazaq should not intimidate any of us. We should speak out because the motive is faulty and the aim is evil.

Let me also use this opportunity to call on all Kwarans to remain fearless, undaunted, and undeterred in standing against a government that has failed to fulfill its responsibilities to them.” part of the statement read.

Kunle Oderemi