PROF. ADEPOJU ADESHOLA OLATUNDE

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.