Kwara Central Between Oloriegbe and Mustapha: A Toast For Sheikh Alimi’s Homestead -By Alameen Abdulkadir

I have heard many people bewailed the lose of Kwara Central APC ticket by incumbent Senator, Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe to his native brother, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha (Turaki of Ilorin) at the last primary election.

Some blamed it on  some underhand plots, others said it’s an act of kindness unreciprocated, which Ilorin Emirate people are parallel to, keeping our eyes peeled on his unprecedented achievements in the Senate.

This is what we need to understand; the issue at stake transcends state politics.

1. It’s a political decision architectured from Abuja…Take it or not.

That’s Saliu Mustapha’s reward for stepping down for Abdullahi Adamu who later became APC National Chairman(by consensus).

In politics, once consensus is reached, there must be quid pro quo…non-zero sum game, while the winner(s) take(s) big, others too take something as consolation.

It’s doleful, what Alhaji Saliu Mustapha was compensated with, is the brilliantly justified senate seat of Kwara Central occupied by Sen. Oloriegbe. 

2. Some people said the victory was meant to shift some leverage of power to Ilorin East, that’s the ostensible reason, and not the exact reason. If it was, why not Alhaji Yahya Seriki Gambari?  after all, he’s also from the eastern part of Emirate. He’s not only an admirer of the Governor but equally toasts his loyalty to him perpetually, remember he was the first co-aspirant to step aside and extended congratulatory message as the Governor emerged APC standard bearer in the 2019 election.

3. We also need to keep close to our thorax that, it’s not the Governor’s fault, the rendition of Sen. Oloriegbe. There’s nothing he can do, it’s the decision of the apex power in the party.

I am sure, Senator Oloriegbe understands this more than anyone of us. Whoever understands the pendulum of politics very well, would know long ago that, this will happen.

But, I strongly believe God has better plans for Oloriegbe. His relationship with Governor AA is not severed, so, I am optimistic he will also get to be compensated.

For, Turaki of Ilorin, honestly he has a big vacuum to fill in Oloriegbe’s shoe. I honestly believe he’s competent as well, both of them are good humans, with individual strengths and differences. One is an introvert, the other an extrovert, one is a cheerful giver, the other a cheerful facilitator.

Lastly, for Kwarans and particularly those of us from Ilorin Emirate, we shouldn’t allow this to create unnecessary cleavage among us. Remember, the first Law of Nature is self preservation, politicians are out there to serve their interests, before you and I. So be mindful of your action and inaction. Gerin Alimi is bigger than Sen. Oloriegbe and Turaki.

Let your moral compass be what your forefathers left you upon, even in the sight of the wildest political storms that rocked their time, the bond of brotherhood still occupied their hearts.

God bless Kwara.

Dr. Alameen Abdulkadir can be reached via ameeniyi@gmail.com