SENATOR BUKOLA SARAKI: CRISIS TIMES!
The
office of the Senate President is in the news daily – for the wrong
reason. Before Senator Saraki, that
office – officially No. 3 – in the country was regarded as sacred and it was a
taboo for anything other than positive news to emanate from there!
Now,
not any more. For the 50 year old Senate
President, it is crisis times and nightmare.
Why
did it take the authorities 13 years to get serious with Senator Bukola Saraki
over his alleged corrupt acquisitions? Again, why are the authorities after
Senator Bukola Saraki’s wife?
Suddenly,
it looks like the hunter is becoming trapped and almost becoming a captive. Those
hitherto speaking for him are quiet; Senator Dino Melaye, his most vocal and
ardent supporter is not talking. May be
he has sensed the closing net and is cautious.
Senator Melaye since he became a Senator doesn’t answer his calls.
His
perceived political camp is also quiet. The
aristocratic Saraki is a known member of the new PDP – the group of former
Governors that defected from the old PDP.
One of them Senator Godswill Akpabio was recently involved in an
accident.
Even
the leadership of the Senate that Saraki so much protected are also mum. The
pall of silence extends unto his political stronghold in Kwara. I have been
expecting to see some placard carrying teenagers from that environment hit the
streets. Some of us who could have
supported him, he ignored. The highly polished boss of the senate is not small
when it comes to giving arms and like his father he doesn’t hesitate to reach
out to his deep pockets.
So
the question is what happened? How did
Senator Saraki find himself in this bend?
A scion of the late Senator Olushola Saraki’s dynasty, the “inheritor”
of the vast Estate and popularity of that exceptionally blessed iconic
politician is undoubtedly, his son, Senator Bukola. I was in school at the University of Lagos
when I first knew and met his father. They called him “Oloye” baba.
As
student Union Leaders, we would drive to his off Bode Thomas residence and hold
court with him. Other times we would
drive to his Queen drive, Ikoyi residence.
It was ordinarily and technically impossible not to like the Senior
Saraki. He often received us warmly and made us comfortable – notwithstanding
the perennial crowd that thronged his premises.
I
never got to meet Saraki Junior until I had cause to do “something” at the
Broad Street office of Societe General Bank where he was a big shot. I admired him and worked hard to be like
him. As it were, they had money power
and his bed was virtually laid for
him. Saraki Junior solved my problems
effortlessly, but it was his “Oyinbo”
English that thrilled me most. As he spoke, it flowed like music. I wondered
how “chicks” must have struggled to have him then.
From
there, records have it that he moved on, climbing the ladder of life – and
really fast. Of course his father’s name
aside, his own dexterity opened doors for him.
What many people of the old generation struggled to have, Saraki got on
a platter of gold, became two time Governor of his native Kwara State, appointed to juicy positions at the
Presidency, won senatorial elections and now Senate President! Though, native clichés insists that “life is
not a bed of roses”, for this young accomplished leader, life surely
is! Unlike others who are bedeviled by
disappointment, retardation, stagnation, working like an elephant and eating
like a rat, Senator Bukola certainly flew on Eagle’s wings!
And
this flight – or smooth sail – ought to continue, except now that something went
wrong; from unlikely angles, formidable forces have suddenly enclosed him! These powerful forces are not such that are
easily persuaded once their mind is made up.
Forgiveness is not in their dictionary – neither is the word “alternative”. Worse still, they fight dirty. Usually nothing is spared to get at their
prey.
When
I saw the publication against Senator Bukola Saraki I knew trouble had
come. The Code of Conduct Bureau had
published 13 count charges of corruption against Senator Bukola Saraki and
threatened him with “arrest”. The EFCC
had followed earlier, by grilling his wife for hours. Within the Saraki household, they would be
wondering how they got into this crisis.
The solid foundation established by the late “Oloye” is about to be
breached – and this is not good. The
late “Oloye” was loaded and gathered more than enough to see his children
through generations.
So
what has Saraki got to lose by pandering to the dictates of his Party? Those who advised him to be hardened should
have known the repercussion. People who
hold covetous positions ought to know they are there to serve – and not to be
served.
But
that’s where we are at the moment. And
what we urgently need now is a change of scene!
I do not want Senator Bukola Saraki to later ask himself: so what
happened to me?
In
order to avoid that, we need to help him look back. His enemies must not be allowed to deliver
the shock treatment. These are people
who invoke the Jewish “eye for an eye”
ometa at any slight cause provided you had stepped on their toes. They operate
like the Cosa Nostra or the Sicilian Mafia—never relenting. They are also like
the lion that, instead of retreating
goes after the hunter that dared to shot at
his direction.
What
is clear is that Senator Bukola Saraki rode on the back of tigers to power –
not fame. When he decamped from the PDP,
people received him in APC. His “new
friends” later helped him return to Senate.
Once back, the normal thing to do was to build on the relationship – not
to capitalize on any perceived lacuna – or what they “his friends” call joker.
He
became Senate President and instead of lying low, turned against his, well,
call them “benefactors” and despite entreaties from them for reason, he did
not shift an inch. But the Tiger, never
one to retreat, the “beast” of the jingle was not about to be defeated. They
did the only thing they know best: sprang!
Senator
Saraki had nothing to lose if he had embraced Ahmed Lawan and his group; his
father reached out to everyone; he had two eyes open for transgressors. The late “Oloye” played politics the normal
way – he ate and carried everyone along.
He always had time to sort out aggrieved opponents. That was why it was difficult to get at him. He operated an open door policy which made
him a friend to all across the Niger.
Unlike his son, the late “Oloye” knew that when you are in a palace and another stronger than you
come, he will take over. This is where
his son faltered – and there is always a price tag.
However,
we all learn lessons. Some do the hard
way – like Senator Bukola Saraki. A
noveau riche like him who has “seen”
it all should make rapprochement and not create bitter enemies. If for any reason his political fortunes are
shut down now, his father would turn in his grave. For me, I want him to retrace his steps, embrace
Lawan, pay obeisance to PMB, allow the Party have its way. What’s 4 years of patience compared to the
eternal ruin that his enemies plan?
Politics
is give and take. I will be surprised if
Saraki is not aware of this.
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