allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Gov Saraki - Emergence of a Power Broker? (Page 1 of 2)

Few years back, not many people would give him a chance that he is old and matured enough to hold his head in the comity of politicians, who were out to earn for themselves the much sought after political relevance in the country's nascent democracy. Back in 1999, the political landscape was populated with mishmash of politicians hustling to eke out a living from the opportunities that came with the new democratic experience.

Some of the people, who ordinarily are expected to join the political fray, obviously reeling in the past ugly experience of the country's aborted democracy by the military, watched on the sideline as political hustlers and jobbers took on the centre stage dictating the pace of governance.

Dr. Bukola Saraki was among the gifted crowd at the sideline; however, his emergence on the political turf has not only changed the mentality of the citizen of the state about what good governance is all about, the son of the self-styled grand lord of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki is fast emerging as the rallying point for various political interests and undoubtedly the new Mr. "fix it".

Political pundits, especially those from his home state were taking aback by the sudden emergence of the banker-turned politician in the state's politics; they swiftly dismissed his coming into politics as opportunistic. For these set of people, Saraki could only be seen in his father's gab and nothing more. The medical Doctor turned politician was simply labeled as "daddy's boy". Some, because of the feminism the Yoruba attached to his name, Bukola find it hard to believe that he is a man; they argued that the scion of the Saraki political dynasty is just another lady from Lagos .

Not one to be easily deterred, Saraki, fresh from his position as Special Assistant on Budget to the former President Obasanjo before he emerged as governor of Kwara State, busied himself understudying the evolving system in a way that catapulted him to the pinnacle of his new chosen vocation, not just as a player, but a potent force to be reckoned with.

Despite his pragmatic approach to governance, coupled with some of the laudable programmes he embarked upon immediately after he became governor of the state, some of his detractors found it difficult to detach him from his father's apron. To this set of people, it was the hand of Esau, voice of Jacob. Not even his historical defeat of the former Governor of Kwara State, late Mohammed Lawal, in 2003 general election was enough proof to his critics that not only has he arrived on the political scene, but has his eyes fixed on higher pedestal.

However, after four years of excellent service delivery to his people in Kwara State, the circle of his critics has waned tremendously; most of them have repented from their "sins", and have now begun to sing his praise to high heaven.

While his critics based at the state level continue to wane, Saraki has promoted his trade to the national scene, where as chairman of the highly influential Governor's Forum, he continues to attract new set of disciples to his political ministry. What glues people to the Waziri Ilorin according to a source is his enviable style as a team player.

Signs that Saraki's relevance in political matter has grown beyond the boundary of the state started manifesting during the events leading to last year's general election.

The soft-spoken politician was credited to have played a pivotal role in the haywire power-game that led to the emergence of President Yar'Adua, as presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

While his role in the emergence of President Yar'Adua may not be that visible, the recent altercation that played itself out at the recently concluded national convention of the PDP, clearly manifests him as a political strategist.

The battle that led to the emergence of Alhaji Kawu Baraje, as PDP National Secretary, depicts him as a long distance runner, while the governor's forum piloted victory of Vincent Ogbulafor as national chairman of the party, clearly portrays Saraki as a good team leader.

Saraki, who claimed that Kwara State is marginalised among the six states that made up the north-central geo-political zone, championed its cause for the position of the national secretary of the PDP zoned to north central. His adroit movement to sway the interest of the former governor, Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi, who was among the first set of aspirants that signified interest in the job has continued to fluster people's imagination. Lafiagi not only withdrew from the race, he led the campaign of Baraje to the six geo-political zones.

How Saraki managed to clip the wings of some powerful aspirants that were sponsored by various powerful blocs within and outside the PDP have remained a matter of discourse among political analysts.

Prominent among highly influential and connected aspirants that bit the dust for Baraje to emerge as National Secretary of the PDP include, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, former military governor and two-term member of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. John Dara, a former Chief of staff to former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Bode Ojomu, a prominent student activist.

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